Sandbox
Why do things stay in orbit?
An orbit is falling while moving sideways so fast you keep missing. Change the masses and the launch speed, and see Newton’s gravity draw circles, ellipses, or let go entirely.
About this sandbox
Two bodies and gravity, r'' = -G(m₁ + m₂) r / r³. Both bodies circle their shared centre of mass; change the masses and the launch speed to make circles, ellipses or escapes.
Things to try
- Launch at exactly circular speed.
- Launch at √2 times it and watch it escape.
- Make twin stars of equal mass.