I was wondering if there was a computational method to determine all stable orbits of, say, 5-body system, adjusting masses, etc.

Thanks for any info.

Paul Czerner

Yes - check out the Sky&Telescope website software downloads page. S&T ran an article about just this subject a few months ago with a link to a bit of simulation software. I didn't follow it up, but you should find it if you rummage around.

Phil.

skyandtelescope.com/

Paul - this is a simulator for extrasolar planets. Not sure if it exactly what you're looking for - but its the site Phil referred to. Cheers
Dave

oklo.org/?page_id=86

in this months sky at night there is shareware software to do exactly that. i played with it for a bit, but theres a bit of a curve and im to lazy!