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User Defined Object
This script allows you to define a comet or asteroid. A defined object can be displayed in either the "planet positions", "planet positions, current" or "planet rise/set times" JavaScript sheets.
The textbox above contains a sample comet definition. The first line of the definition should be the object description. There must be a "T" for the time at Perihelion, and a "q" for the Perihelion distance. There must be a "Peri." for the argument of perihelion. There must be a "Node" for the longitude of the ascending node, with an optional epoch year (defaults to 2000). There must be "Incl." for the inclination. Eccentricity "e" is optional and defaults to 1.0.
For the latest NASA comet ephemeris, click here. For the latest International Astronomical Union Circulars, click here. Once you find an object, text highlight the definition, then [Ctrl]-[C] to copy it to the clipboard. Place your text cursor in the textbox above, delete the current object, then [Ctrl]-[V] to paste your new object. Press [Submit] to submit your new object. If the pasted object definition is complete, JavaScript sheets such as "planet positions" will display it.
Note: As long as you remain within this web site, your object remains defined. To remove an object definition, return to this page, delete the current object, then press [Submit].
This web site was last updated 08/23/02