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New SSC file: 616 Kuiper Belt Objects

Posted: 03.11.2002, 12:08
by Ortolan
I've created an ssc file containing elements for 616 trans-neptunian objects. You can download it here:
http://www.skullcave.com/celestia/kuiper-belt.ssc
The data was converted using a Perl script so I assumed a certain albedo for the objects in order for the script to calculate their radius. This of course means that the measurements will not be precise but unfortunately it's the best I can do without knowing the true albedo of each object. In the case of the few 'popular' KBOs, I've hand-edited the radius to match the current measurements given by the JPL. If you spot any errors with the data, please let me know, thanks! :D

Chris: the celestial browser is starting to get pretty crowded with all these asteroids, satellites, KBOs and comets, is there any chance of implementing a directory parameter in the ssc file?
One way to do it would be to allow and detect non-objects in the 'parent object' parameter. eg:
"Iridium-6" "Sol/Earth/Satellites/GEO/Iridium"
The celestial browser would build the parent/child structure as dictated but the celestia core would search the string from right to left to find the object's actual gravitational parent.