Creating a xyz file.

[drewpa13]

Hello. I would like to know how to create an xyz file. For example, the orbit of a moon between Uranus and Pluto. I created a fictitious moon using the information below but I am not sure how to convert it to an xyz file. I accessed Horizons through telnet and I know how to receive existing coordinates.

Code: Select all

"Algernon" "Sol/Earth"
{
Class "moon"   
Texture "mars.*"
   BumpMap "marsbump.*"
   BumpHeight 3.5
   Radius   1737.53
   # Oblateness 0.002
RotationPeriod    1000.0

   InfoURL "http://www.nineplanets.org/luna.html"

   #SampledOrbit   "algernon.xyz"

   EllipticalOrbit {
      Period           27.321661
      SemiMajorAxis    9384400
      Eccentricity     0.054900
      Inclination      5.15
   }

   

   Albedo           0.12
}

Thank you.

[RocketMan@JSC]

Generally xyz files are not used for planets or moons. Your best bet is to stick with the orbit definition.

Becaused you asked though, the xyz definition is the x,y, and z components of the bodies position vector in kilometers and is J2000 inertial relative to the body it orbits.

The format is:

julian date <spaces> x <spaces> y <spaces> z

[drewpa13]

I see. Thank you very much.