how to add objects in Stellarium

[Star child]

Hi am really dont know where i should post this, but i'll try here.

I have Stellerium and have noticed its possibe to add data showing where comets are, can anyone explain how to do this (i'm trying to add comet 130P Hartley)

Thanks

Jay

[Darkstar2]

Hi am really dont know where i should post this, but i'll try here.

I have Stellerium and have noticed its possibe to add data showing where comets are, can anyone explain how to do this (i'm trying to add comet 130P Hartley)

Thanks

Jay

You need to find the file ssystem.ini in the data directory under stellarium.

Bring it up in something like wordpad and add the following at the end:

[103P-Hartley]

name = 103P-Hartley

parent = Sun

radius = 12

oblateness = 0.0

halo = true

color = 1.0,1.0,1.0

tex_halo = star16x16.png

tex_map = nomap.png

coord_func = comet_orbit

orbit_TimeAtPericenter = 2455497.76729

orbit_PericenterDistance = 1.058678

orbit_Eccentricity = 0.695113

orbit_ArgOfPericenter = 181.1969

orbit_AscendingNode = 219.7661

orbit_Inclination = 13.6168

lighting = false

albedo = 0.5

orbit_visualization_period = 365.25

Make sure there is a blank line before the beginning of this section.

Save ssystem.ini and restart Stellarium.

You may want to take a copy of the file before you start for safety, in case you mess it up!

Regards,

Harry.

[astro_dt]

Hi Harry

Where did you get the data for comet Hartley?

Thanks

Danny

[Daggerstab]

You need to find the file ssystem.ini in the data directory under stellarium.

(...)

Save ssystem.ini and restart Stellarium.

Alternatively, to avoid editing the original file, you can make a copy in the user data directory, as described here:

http://stargazerslounge.com/astro-lounge/88139-red-spot-stellarium-starry-night.html#post1564303

You can also use the Comets and Asteroids plug-in, which at the moment is distributed as a part of this:

http://stargazerslounge.com/astro-lounge/117002-exprimental-build-stellarium-two-new-plug-ins.html

(both links are to threads in this forum )

Where did you get the data for comet Hartley?

There are at least two public sources of comet and asteroid data:

- JPL's HORIZONS system:

HORIZONS Web-Interface

JPL/Horizons Parser for Stellarium

- the Minor Planets Center's MPES service:

Minor Planet & Comet Ephemeris Service

[Keiran]

Very useful info, thanks

[astro_dt]

Thanks Harry - will give this a go

Cheers

Danny

[Star child]

How do i find the file ssystem ini using windows 7? please explain as simple as possible becuase i am useless with computer stuff!