Are there any software tools available to map the solar system hundreds of years from now?











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I am writing a scifi novel based roughly four hundred years from now, and it occurred to me that the planets and other objects might not be quite where I need them to be for certain travel details to make sense.



Primarily, Eris and Pluto have irregular orbits that take a very long time (558 and 248 year respectively), which sometimes puts Eris closer than Pluto. This is a problem if I write that Eris is the last stop before exiting the solar system if Eris is at ~38 AU (perihelion) and Pluto is at ~49 AU (aphelion).



Are there any software tools available to accurately map the solar system hundreds of years from now?










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  • I like to use celestron starry night for skywatching, and it is pretty accurate. Also, it can also go forward a time to, if I remeber correctly, to 3000 AD.
    – Aaron
    2 hours ago















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3
down vote

favorite












I am writing a scifi novel based roughly four hundred years from now, and it occurred to me that the planets and other objects might not be quite where I need them to be for certain travel details to make sense.



Primarily, Eris and Pluto have irregular orbits that take a very long time (558 and 248 year respectively), which sometimes puts Eris closer than Pluto. This is a problem if I write that Eris is the last stop before exiting the solar system if Eris is at ~38 AU (perihelion) and Pluto is at ~49 AU (aphelion).



Are there any software tools available to accurately map the solar system hundreds of years from now?










share|improve this question






















  • I like to use celestron starry night for skywatching, and it is pretty accurate. Also, it can also go forward a time to, if I remeber correctly, to 3000 AD.
    – Aaron
    2 hours ago













up vote
3
down vote

favorite









up vote
3
down vote

favorite











I am writing a scifi novel based roughly four hundred years from now, and it occurred to me that the planets and other objects might not be quite where I need them to be for certain travel details to make sense.



Primarily, Eris and Pluto have irregular orbits that take a very long time (558 and 248 year respectively), which sometimes puts Eris closer than Pluto. This is a problem if I write that Eris is the last stop before exiting the solar system if Eris is at ~38 AU (perihelion) and Pluto is at ~49 AU (aphelion).



Are there any software tools available to accurately map the solar system hundreds of years from now?










share|improve this question













I am writing a scifi novel based roughly four hundred years from now, and it occurred to me that the planets and other objects might not be quite where I need them to be for certain travel details to make sense.



Primarily, Eris and Pluto have irregular orbits that take a very long time (558 and 248 year respectively), which sometimes puts Eris closer than Pluto. This is a problem if I write that Eris is the last stop before exiting the solar system if Eris is at ~38 AU (perihelion) and Pluto is at ~49 AU (aphelion).



Are there any software tools available to accurately map the solar system hundreds of years from now?







planets space orbital-mechanics time solar-system






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asked 2 hours ago









TitaniumTurtle

1,502526




1,502526












  • I like to use celestron starry night for skywatching, and it is pretty accurate. Also, it can also go forward a time to, if I remeber correctly, to 3000 AD.
    – Aaron
    2 hours ago


















  • I like to use celestron starry night for skywatching, and it is pretty accurate. Also, it can also go forward a time to, if I remeber correctly, to 3000 AD.
    – Aaron
    2 hours ago
















I like to use celestron starry night for skywatching, and it is pretty accurate. Also, it can also go forward a time to, if I remeber correctly, to 3000 AD.
– Aaron
2 hours ago




I like to use celestron starry night for skywatching, and it is pretty accurate. Also, it can also go forward a time to, if I remeber correctly, to 3000 AD.
– Aaron
2 hours ago










3 Answers
3






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3
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JPL's HORIZONS system will give you ephemerides, charts of a planet's location in the sky (via right ascension and declination) and position in space via quantities like the true anomaly. You can find ephemerides for all eight planets, as well as about 800,000 asteroids, comets and moons (yes, including Pluto and Eris).



HORIZONS is quite accurate, and allows you to make calculations in a variety of timesteps (and shows you intermediate positions along the way!), ranging from days to years. The shorter the timestep, the better the accuracy, but the longer it takes. Usually, it can calculate ephemerides for up to 500 years in the future.



There are a number of interfaces, with the simplest being the web one. Pick the option that suits you best.






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    up vote
    2
    down vote













    Starry Night is pretty reliable.






    share|improve this answer








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    • 5




      This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
      – JohnWDailey
      1 hour ago






    • 2




      Hi user58275! This is what is called a "one liner" -- a very low quality response that is very likely to be deleted. Please edit to include a link and describe for those of us what it does and how it can be of use to the OP's query.
      – elemtilas
      34 mins ago










    • While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. - From Review
      – elemtilas
      34 mins ago


















    up vote
    1
    down vote













    The Universe Sandbox has the ability to simulate planetary physics. I doubt that it is 100% accurate, but as a tool for projecting a future it may fill your need.



    Alternately, the math for working out roughly where a planet is in its orbit is not overly complicated. Find when their next perihelion/aphelion will occur, and simply add the time required to complete 1 orbit. Another nice thing about perihelion/aphelion is that the planet takes about half the orbit time to go from one to the other.






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      3 Answers
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      3 Answers
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      active

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      up vote
      3
      down vote













      JPL's HORIZONS system will give you ephemerides, charts of a planet's location in the sky (via right ascension and declination) and position in space via quantities like the true anomaly. You can find ephemerides for all eight planets, as well as about 800,000 asteroids, comets and moons (yes, including Pluto and Eris).



      HORIZONS is quite accurate, and allows you to make calculations in a variety of timesteps (and shows you intermediate positions along the way!), ranging from days to years. The shorter the timestep, the better the accuracy, but the longer it takes. Usually, it can calculate ephemerides for up to 500 years in the future.



      There are a number of interfaces, with the simplest being the web one. Pick the option that suits you best.






      share|improve this answer



























        up vote
        3
        down vote













        JPL's HORIZONS system will give you ephemerides, charts of a planet's location in the sky (via right ascension and declination) and position in space via quantities like the true anomaly. You can find ephemerides for all eight planets, as well as about 800,000 asteroids, comets and moons (yes, including Pluto and Eris).



        HORIZONS is quite accurate, and allows you to make calculations in a variety of timesteps (and shows you intermediate positions along the way!), ranging from days to years. The shorter the timestep, the better the accuracy, but the longer it takes. Usually, it can calculate ephemerides for up to 500 years in the future.



        There are a number of interfaces, with the simplest being the web one. Pick the option that suits you best.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          3
          down vote










          up vote
          3
          down vote









          JPL's HORIZONS system will give you ephemerides, charts of a planet's location in the sky (via right ascension and declination) and position in space via quantities like the true anomaly. You can find ephemerides for all eight planets, as well as about 800,000 asteroids, comets and moons (yes, including Pluto and Eris).



          HORIZONS is quite accurate, and allows you to make calculations in a variety of timesteps (and shows you intermediate positions along the way!), ranging from days to years. The shorter the timestep, the better the accuracy, but the longer it takes. Usually, it can calculate ephemerides for up to 500 years in the future.



          There are a number of interfaces, with the simplest being the web one. Pick the option that suits you best.






          share|improve this answer














          JPL's HORIZONS system will give you ephemerides, charts of a planet's location in the sky (via right ascension and declination) and position in space via quantities like the true anomaly. You can find ephemerides for all eight planets, as well as about 800,000 asteroids, comets and moons (yes, including Pluto and Eris).



          HORIZONS is quite accurate, and allows you to make calculations in a variety of timesteps (and shows you intermediate positions along the way!), ranging from days to years. The shorter the timestep, the better the accuracy, but the longer it takes. Usually, it can calculate ephemerides for up to 500 years in the future.



          There are a number of interfaces, with the simplest being the web one. Pick the option that suits you best.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 1 hour ago

























          answered 2 hours ago









          HDE 226868

          62.9k12216408




          62.9k12216408






















              up vote
              2
              down vote













              Starry Night is pretty reliable.






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              • 5




                This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
                – JohnWDailey
                1 hour ago






              • 2




                Hi user58275! This is what is called a "one liner" -- a very low quality response that is very likely to be deleted. Please edit to include a link and describe for those of us what it does and how it can be of use to the OP's query.
                – elemtilas
                34 mins ago










              • While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. - From Review
                – elemtilas
                34 mins ago















              up vote
              2
              down vote













              Starry Night is pretty reliable.






              share|improve this answer








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              user58275 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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              • 5




                This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
                – JohnWDailey
                1 hour ago






              • 2




                Hi user58275! This is what is called a "one liner" -- a very low quality response that is very likely to be deleted. Please edit to include a link and describe for those of us what it does and how it can be of use to the OP's query.
                – elemtilas
                34 mins ago










              • While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. - From Review
                – elemtilas
                34 mins ago













              up vote
              2
              down vote










              up vote
              2
              down vote









              Starry Night is pretty reliable.






              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              user58275 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.









              Starry Night is pretty reliable.







              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              user58275 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.









              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer






              New contributor




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              answered 2 hours ago









              user58275

              211




              211




              New contributor




              user58275 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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              New contributor





              user58275 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.






              user58275 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.








              • 5




                This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
                – JohnWDailey
                1 hour ago






              • 2




                Hi user58275! This is what is called a "one liner" -- a very low quality response that is very likely to be deleted. Please edit to include a link and describe for those of us what it does and how it can be of use to the OP's query.
                – elemtilas
                34 mins ago










              • While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. - From Review
                – elemtilas
                34 mins ago














              • 5




                This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
                – JohnWDailey
                1 hour ago






              • 2




                Hi user58275! This is what is called a "one liner" -- a very low quality response that is very likely to be deleted. Please edit to include a link and describe for those of us what it does and how it can be of use to the OP's query.
                – elemtilas
                34 mins ago










              • While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. - From Review
                – elemtilas
                34 mins ago








              5




              5




              This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
              – JohnWDailey
              1 hour ago




              This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
              – JohnWDailey
              1 hour ago




              2




              2




              Hi user58275! This is what is called a "one liner" -- a very low quality response that is very likely to be deleted. Please edit to include a link and describe for those of us what it does and how it can be of use to the OP's query.
              – elemtilas
              34 mins ago




              Hi user58275! This is what is called a "one liner" -- a very low quality response that is very likely to be deleted. Please edit to include a link and describe for those of us what it does and how it can be of use to the OP's query.
              – elemtilas
              34 mins ago












              While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. - From Review
              – elemtilas
              34 mins ago




              While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. - From Review
              – elemtilas
              34 mins ago










              up vote
              1
              down vote













              The Universe Sandbox has the ability to simulate planetary physics. I doubt that it is 100% accurate, but as a tool for projecting a future it may fill your need.



              Alternately, the math for working out roughly where a planet is in its orbit is not overly complicated. Find when their next perihelion/aphelion will occur, and simply add the time required to complete 1 orbit. Another nice thing about perihelion/aphelion is that the planet takes about half the orbit time to go from one to the other.






              share|improve this answer

























                up vote
                1
                down vote













                The Universe Sandbox has the ability to simulate planetary physics. I doubt that it is 100% accurate, but as a tool for projecting a future it may fill your need.



                Alternately, the math for working out roughly where a planet is in its orbit is not overly complicated. Find when their next perihelion/aphelion will occur, and simply add the time required to complete 1 orbit. Another nice thing about perihelion/aphelion is that the planet takes about half the orbit time to go from one to the other.






                share|improve this answer























                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote









                  The Universe Sandbox has the ability to simulate planetary physics. I doubt that it is 100% accurate, but as a tool for projecting a future it may fill your need.



                  Alternately, the math for working out roughly where a planet is in its orbit is not overly complicated. Find when their next perihelion/aphelion will occur, and simply add the time required to complete 1 orbit. Another nice thing about perihelion/aphelion is that the planet takes about half the orbit time to go from one to the other.






                  share|improve this answer












                  The Universe Sandbox has the ability to simulate planetary physics. I doubt that it is 100% accurate, but as a tool for projecting a future it may fill your need.



                  Alternately, the math for working out roughly where a planet is in its orbit is not overly complicated. Find when their next perihelion/aphelion will occur, and simply add the time required to complete 1 orbit. Another nice thing about perihelion/aphelion is that the planet takes about half the orbit time to go from one to the other.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 2 hours ago









                  Kain0_0

                  8224




                  8224






























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