Spherical Codes

I am sorry, the applet that used to be here had to be removed for security reasons.

 

 

Background on packings: This way of packing circles on a sphere results in a spherical code. The problem of spherical packing is sometimes known as the Fejes Tóth's or Tammes’ problem. There are exact solutions for 4, 6, and 12, but the general problem has not been solved. Best known solutions are available here and they were used in this applet. Exception: PackAnti with 16 points designed by “Magic/Shapeways”, PackAnti with 18 points designed by Alea Kybos.

 

Sources:

        Spherical codes based on N. J. A. Sloane, with the collaboration of R. H. Hardin, W. D. Smith and others, Tables of Spherical Codes, published electronically at www.research.att.com/~njas/ 

        The applet is based on code by Bob Allanson, modified with permission. http://members.ozemail.com.au/~llan/mpol.html