Prime Knot: 8_20

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The prime knot 8_20 can be visualized in a tube of constant radius when pulled tight, with its thin version having half-size tubes for clearer crossings. The thick version is full scale and easier to print without support material. For more information about this prime knot, visit the Knot Atlas (http://katlas.math.toronto.edu/wiki/8_20), while tight knots' details can be found on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ropelength). The ropelength data is available at Jason Cantarella's website (http://www.jasoncantarella.com/wordpress/papers/). To witness this prime knot tightening, check out a movie on the same author's site (http://www.jasoncantarella.com/movs). This unique shape is created by RidgeRunner, a free software available at http://www.jasoncantarella.com/wordpress/software/ridgerunner/, which uses numerical algorithms to minimize knot length while maintaining a tube around the knot. Different functions can result in varied knot shapes.