Need help finding exact time of planet aspects with Jean Meeus library

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter orbit123
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Planet Time
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the exact times of planetary aspects, specifically when two planets are a fixed degree apart, using the C library from Jean Meeus's book "Astronomical Algorithms." The focus is on addressing the challenges posed by the retrograde and direct motion of outer planets, particularly when they are nearly stationary.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a method to calculate the exact time when two planets are at specific angular separations, such as 90 or 120 degrees, using the Jean Meeus library.
  • The participant notes difficulties in calculations when outer planets are transitioning from retrograde to direct motion, as they become nearly stationary.
  • Another participant suggests looking for a "Fundamental Solar System ephemeris" and provides a link to a potential resource at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  • A different participant states that achieving exact calculations requires running a full ephemeris of the Solar System and interpolating, indicating that Meeus's formulas are approximations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the methods available for calculating planetary aspects, with no consensus on a definitive solution or approach. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best method to achieve accurate results.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the limitations of the existing methods or the assumptions underlying the calculations. The discussion does not clarify the specific definitions or parameters needed for the calculations.

orbit123
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I am using the C library that comes with the book Astronomical Algorithms by Jean Meeus http://www.willbell.com/math/mc1.htm

This book and C library has a calculation for two planets Conjunction and Opposition but no other planet aspects. Does anyone know a method to find when two planets are a fixed degree apart such as 90 degrees, 120 degrees or any other degree?

The problem I have run into is that geocentric planets move through a retrograde and direct cycle. As an outer planet approaches the transition from retrograde to direct it is almost stationary at which time I can not calculate any accurate degree of separation. So I need a proven method to calculate the date-time of exact angular separate even when two planets are almost stationary.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Patrick
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
I'm sorry you are not generating any responses at the moment. Is there any additional information you can share with us? Any new findings?
 
I think you're looking for a "Fundamental Solar System ephemeris".
I have never used such a thing, but there seems to be something useful at this site: http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/
 
The only way to do this exactly is to run a full-blown ephemeris of the Solar System and interpolate. Meeus gives you some handy formulae to approximate a number of interesting configurations, but these are indeed approximations boiled down from the full ephemera.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
10K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
15K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 67 ·
3
Replies
67
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K