How to get .xyz/.xyzv files for Celestia

[EarthMoon]

This is a small tutorial on how to get .xyz/.xyzv files for Celestia.

Get XYZ XYZV files for Celestia.zip

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[SevenSpheres]

Why don't you post the tutorial here, instead of making people have to download it? It's just text and images.

[EarthMoon]

Why don't you post the tutorial here, instead of making people have to download it? It's just text and images.

Good idea, I will post it here.



A tutorial to get .xyz/.xyzv files for Celestia



• 1. Go to https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons/app.html
• 2. Set "Ephemeris Type" to "Vector Table".

• 3. Select the Target Body. I will use the Moon for example.

• 4. Choose the Coordinate Center (the reference body), for example the Earth.

• 5. Set the time span and time step size.

• 6. Set the "Table Settings" like this:
• 6.1 Set "Output Quantities" either to "1. Position components {x,y,z} only   [.xyz file]" or to "2. State vector {x,y,z,Vx,Vy,Vz}   [.xyzv file]"
• 6.2 Set the other parameters to this:

• 7. Click "Generate Ephemeris".
• 8. The result should look like this:

• 9. Save the ephemeris.
• 10. Open the generated horizons_results.txt file in any text editor.
• 11. Delete everything before and the (first) "$$SOE" line:

• 12. Delete everything after and the (second) "$$SOE" line (near the ending of the file):

• 13. Delete all the " = A.D. ####-###-## ##:##:##.#### TDB":

• 14. The file should now look like this:

• 15. Rename the file to ###.xyz or ###.xyzv (see 6.1)
• 16. The file is now ready for use with Celestia!