Planetary Alignment Question

[rhintz]

Greetings,

I've been searching for a utility that could provide me with the planetary alignment of any given day, perhaps say a birthday or specific event. I was told to visit this free application in respect to my inquiry. Although, I have to admit, this program is vastly more in depth then I imagined it. If someone could kindly point me in the right direction as to how to go about attaining the view of the planetary alignment from a perspective above the solar system (similar to the demo view of the planets orbiting the solar center) I would very much appreciate it. I have figured out how to enter in a specific date and time. Just haven't figured out how to view the alignment of the time in question. I'm sure this application is more then capable of my inquiry, I'm just not sure how to obtain my request. Any help would be most kindly regarded. I do apologize of this is a common question. However, I have gained no results through a search of the FAQ, operations and/or just meddling around with it.

Thank you,

Ryan

[BobHegwood]

Ryan,

Just select the Sun by tapping the -h- key, then go to it via the -g- key. Follow it via the -f- key and then right-click and drag the view until you are over the Sun's north pole.
Use the mouse (or the -end- key to back away from the Sun until you get to the viewpoint you want. You can also set the viewing options (under Celestia's Render, view options menu)
so that you can label the planets and see the orbits if that's what you wish to see.

Right-click and move the mouse to change your point of view if you like. Is this what you are looking for?

[Hungry4info]

It's pretty much the best one can do with Celestia, but it isn't a limitation of Celestia itself. The planets in our solar system simply never align perfectly, as all of their orbits are inclined relative to one another.

[rhintz]

Bob,

Thank you very much for your help. This is exactly what I was attempting, yet utterly failing to do before. I would suppose, it was the sequence of keys I was using that were probably negating each other. Again, thank you for your insight. -R

[BobHegwood]

Bob,

Thank you very much for your help. This is exactly what I was attempting, yet utterly failing to do before. I would suppose, it was the sequence of keys I was using that were probably negating each other. Again, thank you for your insight. -R

Hey, my pleasure Ryan...
Damn, I'm not really used to actually helping people.
Thanks for the feedback. Hell, I might try to stay alive for a while longer now.

[Hungry4info]

Damn, I'm not really used to actually helping people.

Hahaha. You truly are helpful though. And this is coming from an unbiased, separate perspective. =)

Thanks for the feedback. Hell, I might try to stay alive for a while longer now.

Haha, I love your sense of humour.

[BobHegwood]

Haha, I love your sense of humour.

Just my natural charm and wit at work...
Well, that and I have a sick sense of humor.