Plotting the orbits of the planets from Ephemeris data

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on plotting the orbits of planets using Ephemeris data obtained from the JPL Horizons System. The user, Jor, seeks to visualize planetary positions but initially lacks the necessary distance data. A solution is provided, indicating that by editing the table settings in the JPL Horizons System, users can include heliocentric distance and observer distance, which will add the required columns: r, delta, and their respective rates of change.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of JPL Horizons System for accessing Ephemeris data
  • Familiarity with celestial coordinate systems, specifically barycentric coordinates
  • Basic knowledge of plotting techniques for astronomical data
  • Experience with data manipulation in tabular formats
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to edit table settings in the JPL Horizons System to include heliocentric distance
  • Research methods for visualizing 2D orbits using Python libraries such as Matplotlib
  • Explore the significance of the barycenter in celestial mechanics
  • Investigate the calculation of angular diameters and their relevance in astronomy
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, astrophysicists, and data scientists interested in visualizing planetary orbits and analyzing Ephemeris data.

Jor
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TL;DR
plotting the position of planets. Describe the orbits of the planets.
Using Ephemeris data from the JPL Horizons System.
I would like to plot the position of planets around the Sun for different dates and describe their orbits.
I got the Ephemeris data for each planet from the JPL Horizons System, I got:

Date__(UT)__HR:MN R.A.___(ICRF)___DEC Ang-diam ObsSub-LON ObsSub-LAT ObsEcLon ObsEcLat

however I could not figure out how to plot the orbit since I did not get any distance.
I would like to obtain dates, distance from the sun and the corresponding latitude to plot the 2D orbits.
I understand these the coordinate system of the JPL Ephemeris are centered at the barycenter of the Solar System, so in principle I would not need a coordinate transformation.

Any ideas or suggestions on how to get the data needed to plot the orbits?
Cheers,
Jor
 
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You need to edit the table settings and choose heliocentric distance. This will be the objects distance from the Sun. You can also choose the observer distance. You should see the following columns added:

r__rdot__delta__deldot

with r being the objects distance to the sun, delta being the observers distance.
 
Last edited:

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