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Orbit data calculator and 3D representation

A brief introduction

I developed this tool for learning purposes and with the aim of getting closer to the field of astronomy, trying to link science and 3D. The results obtained are correct but not as accurate as possible because I don't yet have the necessary knowledge. What's more, I haven't used any external libraries that automate everything. Everything is done using the math library. The reason the package is open-source is so that I can exchange ideas and learn from others, and I'd be delighted to do that!

ABOUT

Orbit is an application that creates a 3D representation of objects in orbit. From some data, Orbit calculates additional data to refine the representation or help the research.

To create an object in orbit, you will need :

Physical and orbital characteristics	Unit	Info
Name	str	For ease, avoid starting with a number, or add _ in front of
Mass	kg	Needed to calculate rotation speed
Inclination	deg	Difficult to find, especially for asteroids. It is not an essential element. Value can be 0
Semi major axis	AU
Eccentricity
Inclination	deg
Longitude of the ascending node	deg
Argument of periapsis	deg
Random day of perihelion	yyyy,MM,dd	By default, it is J2000

One source I've used a lot is Wikipedia: https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_d%27objets_du_Syst%C3%A8me_solaire

Beware though, it's not always correct or accurate.

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From the data, Orbit calculates additional data to refine the creation of orbits.

Result	Unit	Math
Semi minor axis	AU	$a\sqrt{1-{e}^2}$
Orbital period	earth days	$2&#960\sqrt{{a}^3/MG}$
Circumference	m	$2&#960(aAU)$
Distance at perihelion	AU	$a(1-e)$
Velocity at perihelion	m/s	$\sqrt{G(pM+M)(2/d-1/a)}$
Distance at aphelion	AU	$a(1+e)$
Velocity at aphelion	m/s	$\sqrt{G(pM+M)(2/d-1/a)}$
Position at any time	dict	Too long...

INSTALL

• This tool is written in Python 3, Qt and uses SQLite. Associated plug-in (not essential) : Autodesk Maya 2022+

• The tool implements Qt.py developed by Motosso and available here: https://github.com/mottosso/Qt.py It allows you to use any version of Qt. This is why the tool works both in standalone and in Maya.

---

From a terminal, run pip3 install PyQt5 (or any Qt equivalent).

USAGE

Run the file launcher.py from an IDE or Autodesk Maya or this code :

from orbit.ui import run_ui

run_ui()

Once you have opened the UI, you need to determine a location where the project can be saved. Click on the set_project button and select a folder. A database is automatically created and this is where your data will be stored.

To add an object, simply enter the required data in the Create tab and click on the button of the same name.

If you are in standalone mode, the object you create will be added to the database, but to view it in 3D, you need to be in Autodesk Maya.

If this is not the case, don't panic, every time you open a project, Maya will read all the contents of the database and create anything that doesn't exist. So there's never any need to save your scenes - everything is done automatically, just set up a project!

API DOCUMENTATION

flowchart TD
    AP{ORBIT};
    A(class Api) -- inits --> B(class Database);
    A -- inits --> C(class ObjectInOrbit);
    A -- inits --> D(class Star);
    C -- is added into --> B
    D -- is added into --> B
    B -- sends information --> A
    E{ui} -- calls --> A

Loading

Init project

from orbit.api import Api

project_path = r"path\to\a\directory"

api = Api(project_path)

Get elements

elements = api.read()

Add element

new_object = [
            # name,
            # type,
            # parent,
            # mass,
            # orbital period,
            # object inclination,
            # semi major axis,
            # orbit inclination,
            # eccentricity,
            # ascending node,
            # argument of periapsis,
            # random perihelion / perigee date
        ]

api.add_element(new_object)

Delete element

object_name = "Example"

api.delete_element(object_name)

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