Adding comets, asteroids and small bodies to Stellarium.

[JB80 2,775]

I thought I would add this method as I haven't seen it posted here before, apologies if it has been.

Up until recently to add comets and other extra's to Stellarium you have had to use an ini. file and copy it into Stellariums code however this new method makes it fairly simple to do in the main Stellarium application itself adding it directly from the Minor Planet Center.

I'm going to use Comet Garradd as an example as it came up in another thread and is the hot must see comet of the times but it is just as easy to select any other object you like.

It is however important that you upgrade Sellarium to the latest release for it to work.

1. Press F2 to open the "configuration" window. Under the "Plugins" tab in the "Configuration" window, select "Solar System Editor". Under "options" at the bottom of the tab, click the "Configure" button. A window for "Solar System; objects" will open. Under the "Solar System tab" of the "Solar System objects" window, click the "Import orbital elements in MPC format" button at the bottom of the tab. An "import data" window will open.

2.Under the "lists" tab of the "Import data" window, Select the "type" as "comets"; select the "source" as "download a list of objects from the internet"; under "or select from the list" click on "Select bookmark" and select "MPC's list of observable comets," and then click the button "get orbital elements."

A list of objects found will load. Scroll down and check the box next to C/2009 Garradd, then click the "Add; objects". C/2009 Garradd will then be added to your solar system. Close the Solar System editor and Configuration window.

3. If you want to see where Garradd will be in the sky, you'll need to update your location and time.

4. Find Garradd. Press F3 to open the "Find object" window. Type in "C/2009 Garradd" and you should only see one choice "C/2009 Garradd" below the search box. Click the magnifying glass at the right of the search box to lock in on Garradd. It will automatically give you a view of the sky where Garradd is located.

I hope that is easy enough to follow.

[redfox1971 49]

Thanks for that pibbles,worked a treat and easy to follow,thanks again.

[daz 1,806]

Good stuff Pibbles!

One little extra (well, two) - you may need to upgrade Stellarium to get the plugin, and you may need to tick the "Load at startup" box, then Save on the Main tab, and then restart Stellarium so you the Configure button becomes active

If you do upgrade, there are a few more plugins as well now

[JB80 2,775]

Thanks guys, I just hope it's useful to some people as I know it was for me. I still don't know about most of the plugins though, I'm sure there are many clever tricks to discover.

I did mention about the upgrade bit but probably should of highlighted it as it is a fairly important point and so is the "Load at startup" too. Feel free to edit it in as I can't edit the original post anymore.

[RogerTheDodger 157]

Thanks Pibbles, that was useful to find where Elenin is - that doesn't seem to be listed in CdC for some reason.

[Vali x 10]

Thanks Pibbles...good info !!

@RogerTheDodger:..where Elenin is - that doesn't seem to be listed in CdC for some reason.....i wonder why??!!

[Ptarmigan 620]

Thanks Pibbles, excellent tutorial, works a treat.

I previously got into a right pickle doing the ini thing in Vista, copies of .ini all over the place !

[Parthasarathy.S 10]

Thank you Pibble for the simple but very very helpful method!

[Stargazer Jack 40]

Thanks for that

[EntropyStar 84]

Thank you for explaining how to do this.

What other plugins are available?

[davo 20]

Many thanks too

[Viv 214]

Worked a treat - thank you.

[JB80 2,775]

That's alright.

I'm glad it has been of help to people, even I just came back to re-read it so I could add c/2011 LINEAR.

[firstmagnitude 0]

Brown Dwarf: How do you add an image of a comet in Stellarium? It only portrays stars for comets.

[JB80 2,775]

That I am not sure about, maybe it can be done.

I'll look into it.

[Stargazer Jack 40]

I was thinking that as well the other day so I hope it is possible.

[astrodavid 0]

I downloaded from MPC the asteroid 2012 DA14 using the above procedure. It all went smoothly but I noticed that on the 15th February Stellarium shows it rising at 17:53 ~ about 2 hours before expectation ~ and some 40 degrees further north of east than expected. I cannot see what I have done wrong. Can anyone help?

[astrodavid 0]

Sorry, but should have added that the computer clock and calendar are correct and the Stellarium location is set to the SE coast of the UK.

[Aenima 391]

Thanks!

Aenima

[Aenima 391]

Something tells me the answer is plainly obvious but gonna go ahead anyway ...

ahem. -- if stellarium can locate it then it can also point your telescope at it too? (if u have goto of course)

Same with the other additions?

This is a incredibly helpful post to have stumbled upon, many thanks!

PS pls correct me if im wrong about goto-ing to the comets location....

Regards

Aenima

[Ganymede12 361]

Thank you very much! This guide helped me a lot! Just wondering, the object names are fuzzy and unreadable on stellarium on my computer. Is there any way to fix this?

Edited April 5, 2013 by Ganymede12

[Aenima 391]

Thank you very much! This guide helped me a lot! Just wondering, the object names are fuzzy and unreadable on stellarium on my computer. Is there any way to fix this?

On mine it needs to be taken into the settings, re-select 'English' as language then save changes, restart program. Its annoying but works for me.

Regards

Aenima

[Aenima 391]

Hello,

I'm hoping someone can advise me as to which format - from stellarium - of co-ordinates to enter into 'user defined' objects so that I can input them into my synscan handset, i'm really trying to locate the panstarrs comet this morning but unsure which numbers will give me an accurate position.

With a dslr attached I'm also hoping to get a picture, gotta find it first!

Thanks for any suggestions

Regards

Aenima

[Ganymede12 361]

On mine it needs to be taken into the settings, re-select 'English' as language then save changes, restart program. Its annoying but works for me.

Regards

Aenima

Hasn't worked. Any other ideas?

[Aenima 391]

Hasn't worked. Any other ideas?

Ah, er maybe the issue isnt the one that happens with my laptop? if you can get a screen shot showing how the writing looks and i'll compare it and see if its the same or run through what i do as a remedy to see if it will help at all.

Regards

Aenima