Solar System Motion Simulator v2.0
More than five years after I first wrote the first Solar System Motion Simulator
as a senior in high school, recently I decided to return to the program and fix
most of its glaring flaws to produce a much more general, accurate simulator
(nominally to demonstrate to my Astro 12 students but mostly just for fun.) This
newer version uses the accurate 3D phase data of the planets (beginning by default as of
1 Jan 2000, but can be set to begin at any date by inputting an integer in the command
line indicating the number of days elapsed since 31 Dec 1999), including all eccentricities,
inclinations, and other orbital elements. Other features added include:
- Rewind mode - integrate backwards
- Theoretical orbital tracks to make 3D rotation more visible
- Ability to change the camera track-target in-program
- Numerous miscellaneous improvements and bug fixes
There is no longer any rogue star intruder, though one could be added fairly easily.
Click on each of the links below to individually download each of the related files. Keep
in mind that the graphics support file EGAVGA.BGI must be placed in the same directory as the
executable or else the program will not function properly. If your browser tries to open
the files rather than saving them to disk, return to this page and instead right click on
the download link and select "Save Link As..." to download each file.
Terms of agreement (read before downloading)
This software may be used, modified and redistributed in any way you please provided you
credit me as the original program designer where appropriate.
Solar System Motion Simulator v2.0
Download Executable
Download Source Code (Header)*
Download Graphics Support File**
*The SSMS2 was designed in Borland C/C++ 3.1 and due to graphics features probably cannot
be recompiled without the software included in that package.
**This must be placed in the same directory as the executable for it to function properly.