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algorithmestimationsupercomputersorbital-mechanics

Orbital equations, and power required to run them

Due to a discussion on the SO IRC today, I'm curious about orbital mechanics, and

  • The equations needed to solve orbital problems
  • The computing power required to solve complex problems

The question in particular is calculating when the Earth will plow into the Sun (or vice versa, depending on the frame of reference).

I suspect that all the gravitational pulls within our solar system may need to be calculated, which makes me wonder what type of computer cluster is required, or can this be done on a single box?

I don't have the experience to do a back of the napkin test here, but perhaps you do?

Also, much thx to Gortok for the original inspiration (see comments).

-Adam

Solution

  • See Three Body Problem on Wikipedia. When you have more than two bodies in a gravitational field and you cannot simplify the problem, it is very difficult :)