These images are, in a sense, an evolution of the Lissajous algorithms. There, a curve was traced using the formulae for Lissajous Curves (that is, sin/cosine functions with differing frequencies defining the x and y positions of the curve locus in time). Here, the curve is completely chaotic. It represents the track of the test mass moving in the gravitational attraction of a number of other masses. At each point of the locus of the test mass we choose to draw a motif. In some cases it is the same wave motif used in the Lissajous Curve images. In other cases we use different motifs to produce entirely different visual effects.
See my Chaotic Dynamics page for more discussion of the techniques.
In all cases, the images are copyright Michael McEllin and are low-resolution versions of higher resolution originals that are intended for high-quality printing.
