Stellarium comet update

[Cosmic Geoff]

I tried to update the comet data in Stellarium 0.15, but can't make it work.

Yes I know there are instructions online and I've even done it before. I can get as far as 'uploading orbital elements in MPC format' but I just get a blank box instead of a list.

What's going wrong?

[goodricke1]

I'm also using an older version and get that blank box also. So the way I add a comet (or asteroid) is to go to the MPC ephemeris service:

https://minorplanetcenter.net//iau/MPEph/MPEph.html

I then put the object name, say 64P, in the box provided and check the "MPC 1-line" option farther down.

A text file is generated which can then be uploaded to Stellarium in that same 'upload orbital elements' window.

Hope that helps.

[Cosmic Geoff]

Thanks. That worked for comet '64P' but it's a bit laborious.

Why doesn't the old method work, and which new versions of Stellarium are OK? (they may not work on my laptops).

[Cosmic Geoff]

But I tried two more current comets and they didn't work.

[Mark at Beaufort]

I have very recently updated my Comet data and I am using 0.17 if that helps.

[Cosmic Geoff]

I am still floundering with this.  I have not been able to add comets that were not in the database.  So far as I can make out, the MPC centre breaks old versions of Stellarium by changing its URLs.  But I am unable to discover whether there is a new URL I can enter that works, and if so, what it is.

As for adding a data file, I don't know what a valid set of data looks like.

Or do I have to upgrade to the latest Stellarium, which might need a new laptop with more powerful hardware.

Frustrated.? 

[Mark at Beaufort]

Geoff why don't you download the latest version 0.18.2 to see if that helps - keep your existing copy on the hard drive just in case the new version won't work on your laptop. I believe the Stellarium website allows both a 32 and 64 bit download.

[Cosmic Geoff]

I  got version 0.18 of Stellarium working on one of the laptops, and a desktop, and verified that the new comet data will load.  Will have to reload the telescope & ocular settings, though.

I already know that recent versions of Stellarium will NOT work on the older laptop.