Similar masses gravitating stably together

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What is the greatest number N of equivalent masses M which can mutually gravitate over time within a radius R?
 

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"Mutually gravitate over time with radius R"? Do you mean stably move in a circular orbit (about their common center of mass) with radius R?
 
HallsofIvy said:
"Mutually gravitate over time with radius R"? Do you mean stably move in a circular orbit (about their common center of mass) with radius R?

As an example, consider the N-body problem where N>2, M=M0=constant, and R is a function of N (and possibly M0). The orbits are not circular, but might be confined "stably" to a distance R from the center of mass.

N>2 equal masses co-orbit perpetually within what minimum limit R(N)?
 

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