selected works available
1,000 orbitals
 
orbitals
variation B
processing   august, 2004   j.tarbell
 
  launch small java applet launch medium java applet launch large java applet  
  250 x 250 pixels
73 orbitals
500 x 500 pixels
200 orbitals
900 x 900 pixels
500 orbitals
 
 
The Orbitals is a collection of particles operating on one simple rule: choose another particle in the system and orbit it with a fixed radius at a constant velocity. This is variation B (see Orbitals Variation A).

In this variation, a single root particle is instantiated in the center of the stage. All other particles introduced to the system fall into orbit at some level.
 
time unfolds
0000 system of 500 orbital elements exposed over 400 years
time unfolds
0001 system of 500 orbital elements exposed over 400 years
time unfolds
0002 system of 500 orbital elements exposed over 400 years
time unfolds
0003 system of 500 orbital elements exposed over 400 years
 
10,000 years of peace
1000 an orbital system far far away
 
Initially particles orbit at a fairly fast velocity. Over time, they slow so that their positions, orbit paths, and parent connections can be clearly rendered.
 

2000

2001

2002
 
It should be noted that this is nothing like an n-body system, where all nodes are affected by the presence of all other nodes. The term 'orbit' is being used only to describe the fixed circular motion each particle travels in a hierarchal system.
 
orbitals variation a
A1000 several root particles with vertical drag
orbitals variation a
A1001 several root particles with vertical drag
 
A variation of the Orbitals (see Orbital Variation A) exists that uses several root nodes, and drags them vertically to transcribe complex circular patterns.

As kids we loved our Spirographs.