The Three Body Problem is a clear example of how science fiction literature has not lost its ability to fascinate and inspire deep questions about reality. Leading humans to cross the borders between reality and the imaginable. In 2008, the work The Three Body Problem by Chinese author Liu Cixin, marked a before and after in the genre. In fact, the work was the first Asian novel to receive the prestigious Hugo Award.
Such recognition not only elevated his status globally, it also introduced complex astrophysical concepts to the West through an absorbing narrative and richly delineated characters. The central plot of the novel, which Netflix adapted into a series, revolves around an astrophysical dilemma known as “The Three Body Problem”. This enigma, born in Newtonian mechanics, explores the chaotic dynamics and gravitational interactions that occur between three celestial bodies of comparable masses.
Far from a simple mathematical curiosity, the problem challenges our understanding of the laws of motion and gravitation in scenarios where more than two objects interact in space.
Universal chaos and human narrative.
The fascination with the chaos of the Universe and its impact on human perception of the world is a central theme in The Three Body Problem. The title itself alludes to a complex challenge in classical physics, which proposes studying and understanding the gravitational interaction between three bodies of similar masses. A scenario that almost always results in unpredictable behavior and chaotic system evolutions.
This framework is not only a prelude to the plot, it is also intertwined with the narrative, functioning as a metaphor for complex human relationships and efforts to predict the future in an uncertain world. The novel addresses this dilemma of Newtonian mechanics not only as an intellectual challenge, but as a mirror of human tensions and conflicts. The story takes place on a planet influenced by three suns called Trissolarisinhabited by an extraterrestrial civilization.
Three star systems.
It turns out that Newtonian mechanics is fully capable of accurately modeling the motion of a binary star system like the one in Tatooinebelonging to Star Wars. If you give a physicist information about a pair of stars in the present, he can predict where they will be at any time in the future. But calculating the gravitational interaction between three bodies is an enigma that has baffled students of celestial mechanics for centuries.
There is no simple way to integrate information about a trio of stars into an equation and determine their position at any other time. This stellar configuration favors an environment where uncertainty and chaos are not exceptions, but the rule. The complexity of triple star systems is a fascinating topic. In fact, it is common to find trios of stars in the Universe, such as the Alpha Centauri system.
But calculating the interaction between three celestial bodies, such as the Sun, Earth and Moon, poses a significant challenge. In mathematical jargon, the Three-Body Problem is said to be characterized by the lack of an analytical solution, meaning that there is no exact and universal solution. However, this does not imply the total absence of solutions, since under certain specific circumstances, alternative solutions can be found.
Hierarchical star systems.
Alpha Centauri, which is 4.3 light-years away, is home to two main stars, A and B, which orbit each other while a third star, C, completes its own orbit around the central pair. This “hierarchical” arrangement simplifies not only astronomical calculations, but also our understanding of stellar dynamics, as it allows the system to be divided into more manageable problems.
The simplified structure of Alpha Centauri offers valuable lessons for understanding more complex star systems, such as our own Solar System. By considering the overwhelming mass of the Sun, astronomers can divide the Solar System into two-body problems, making it much easier to predict planetary behavior. This simplified approach was instrumental in advancing our understanding of celestial mechanics, from Kepler’s early discoveries to contemporary advances.
Unstable star systems.
But, in star systems where all the stars have similar sizes, the absence of hierarchy gives rise to chaotic interactions between the three bodies involved. These situations represent a significant challenge for calculations based on Newtonian mechanics, since the complexity of gravitational interactions makes their accurate prediction difficult.
Wild triple star systems are rare due to their short duration. A study revealed that, of 968 cataloged unstable trios, only 14 exhibited characteristics similar to those of Trissolaris. Besides, These systems can survive for a maximum of 50 million years, an insignificant period on the time scale of the Universe. The reason for this short life lies in collisions between stars or the expulsion of one of them.
As a result of this short-lived existence, wild triple systems are typically observed only in “stellar nurseries,” regions where the density of free gas is high and provides the environment for the formation of new stars.
The unpredictable Three Body Problem.
To illustrate this complexity, we can turn to a visual representation, like the following GIF, which shows the chaotic movement resulting from the gravitational interaction between three bodies. This demonstration allows us to visualize the unpredictability of orbits and variability over time. The difficulty of understanding and predicting the orbital motion of triple star systems has important implications, especially in settings such as the fictional planet Trissolaris.
This world faces periods of stability and climate instability. These chaotic eras not only affect climatic conditions, but also pose serious threats to the survival of the planet and its inhabitants. Faced with this situation, the aliens of Trissolaris, a technologically advanced civilization, decide to take drastic measures: invade and colonize Earth in search of more stable life around a single star. But, we are going to leave it at that point so as not to ruin the plot.
In short, it is in this setting where the characters’ ability to adapt, survive, and ultimately find meaning in the midst of chaos is tested.
Real-world inspiration and cultural repercussions.
Since its publication in 2008, The Three Body Problem It fascinated people on all continents. And not only in the literary field, since the novel has also influenced other media and disciplines. The Netflix adaptation, announced in March 2024, promises to bring this story to an even wider audience, sparking interest not only in science fiction but also in science itself. The adaptation comes from the creators of game of Thrones and promises too much. Well, until now, It is the most expensive original series in Netflix historyat least when it comes to the average budget per episode.
The success of the plot lies in the Liu Cixin’s ability to interweave complex scientific concepts with moral and existential dilemmas, turning science into another character in its rich narrative. The cultural impact of the novel goes beyond entertainment, stimulating debate on topics such as determinism, freedom and the fragility of human civilization in the face of the vast and indifferent Universe. It has inspired scientists, philosophers and artists alike, generating interdisciplinary dialogue about our place in the cosmos and the limits of human knowledge.
That’s why, The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin is more than a science fiction novel. Many consider it a meeting point between science, philosophy and art, challenging readers to question not only what they know about the Universe, but how this knowledge affects our understanding of humanity, ethics and existence itself. As we enter the chaos of a planetary system governed by three suns, we face our own lives, full of uncontrollable variables and unpredictable results.
