POV-Ray : Newsgroups : povray.binaries.images : Tilted orbit problem : Re: Tilted orbit problem Server Time
4 Nov 2024 19:19:39 EST (-0500)
  Re: Tilted orbit problem  
From: Rarius
Date: 4 Dec 2009 11:39:28
Message: <4b193b40$1@news.povray.org>

> Thomas de Groot wrote:
>> I have not looked at your code, but isn't it true that the *whole* 
>> saturnian system is tilted? I am almost sure the problem comes from 
>> the order in which you do the transformations. What I mean is that 
>> when applying the tilt, this should be done to a union of Saturn + 
>> rings + satellite. So, you have first to make your satellite orbit 
>> around  the planet without the tilt (and at the origin), and only at 
>> the end tilt the complete saturnian system (and translate it where it 
>> has to go). That way you are sure the satellite remains in its correct 
>> orbit.
> 
> Principally, you're right... but then, almost all moons' orbits are also 
> more or less tilted against Saturn's equatorial plane, and although 
> Wikipedia gives no data about the ascending nodes of these orbits, it's 

> would be easiest to calculate). So also with the union method, I would 
> sooner or later (when refining my Solar System gradually) face the same 
> problem - but then at least one step less to calculate!
> 
> See you in Khyberspace!
> 
> Yadgar

You are quite right... Some of the Saturnian moons are quiet a way out 
of the ring plane. Iapetus for example is over 14deg out!

I am surprised that you seem to be using trig functions to calculate the 
positions... I would have thought that judicious use of the vRotate() 
function would be much clearer and possibly quicker.

I did find the following, but again it seems to be missing the angle of 
the ascending node for the moons! 
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/saturniansatfact.html

Rarius


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