Best tables for data of objects in our solar system?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around finding reliable and comprehensive tables for data on objects in our solar system, including planets, satellites, dwarf planets, and comets. Participants seek sources that provide accurate details for a programming project aimed at modeling these celestial bodies in 3D.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in gathering data from Wikipedia and NASA due to navigation issues and incomplete information.
  • Another suggests using the Stellarium database, which includes various solar system objects and provides a data format description.
  • A third participant recommends the Astronomical Almanac for comprehensive tables and formulas, noting that while the online version is accessible, the printed book is updated annually and may be costly.
  • Another participant mentions the JPL Horizons database as a valuable resource for solar system information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views on potential sources for solar system data, with no consensus on a single best option. Each suggested source has its own merits and limitations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight challenges in accessing certain resources, such as the need for annual updates for the Astronomical Almanac and potential navigation difficulties on NASA's website.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for computer engineering students, amateur astronomers, and developers interested in space simulation projects.

Elecomputer
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I'm writing a program that models objects in our solar system in 3D with lots of functionality. (Senor Project in Computer Engineering), since a lot of time an effort has gone into this software so far, I'd like to implement the most accurate details to configure several objects.

By objects, I mean planets, satellites, and dwarf planets. Comets would by interesting too.

On wikipedia, I found it hard to copy the data each page by page, not to mention some things are not filled out, (inclination is set to ecliptic / sun's equator).

On nasa, i haven't found any good tables, yet (confusing to navigate).

Since this is the astronomy forums, perhaps anyone has an idea of a good source?

Again, I am not an astronomer, but I love space and guided my project to this (I do know some astronomy to calculate the planetary motion).

Thanks in advance! When I finish my program, perhaps I can share it with all. It won't be as near as good as Universe Sandbox or anything, but it is in a different way, a simulation.
 
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Hey Elecomputer!

I'm not sure if it's a good solution, but seeing how your thread slowly sinks to the second page tells me that I should post it anyway.

You may try using the database from Stellarium! It has a lot of solar system objects, including planets (of course), their satellites, and some large asteroids. They have a short http://www.stellarium.org/wiki/index.php/Star_Catalogue_Format describing their data format. Give it a shot.

Cheers!
 
The Astronomical Almanac not only has tables containing all the data you want, but also formulas for determining the position of objects in the solar system.

Many of the tables can be found online at the US Naval Observatory.

The book (which is put out by the USNO and Her Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office) is better, but you might have a hard time getting this year's book. It's already time to order next year's book. (The cost is around $40. You need a new book each year if you're truly serious about your data, but you can get by with a new book every once in a while supplemented by the tables online.)
 

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