Lovejoy plugin for Stellarium?

[bloodhound31]

Has anyone got the plugin thingy so I can update my Stellarium with the Lovejoy comet?

How do I update it?

Baz.

[michaellxv]

configuration->plugins->solar system editor->configure->solar system->import orbital elements in MPC format

[bloodhound31]

Thanks Michael. All done.

Baz.

[Analog6]

I did all that but nothing seems to have happened. I did restart. What constellations is it moving through

[Jerczey]

Hi, I can't see it either!!

[bloodhound31]

Moving up from Scorpius heading south. (higher)

[Jerczey]

oh right, there I see it :D

need to look for c/2011 w3 (lovejoy)

[Analog6]

How do I get the little handles to show? I can search for it OK but darned if I can get those little handles to show. They come up OK if I click on a Nebula or something but not for Comet Lovejoy. I've resorted to centreing it and finding it by reading off the values on the azimuth grid

[bloodhound31]

Use the search function and search for C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy). The handles should then come up on screen.

Baz.

[DavidU]

I can't find solar system editor.
Any ideas?

[bloodhound31]

Move your mouse to the left hand side of the screen

configuration->plugins->solar system editor->

[DavidU]

Thanks Baz,all I get is this

[bloodhound31]

That's strange. How old is your version of Stallarium? Try uninstalling it and go to the Stellarium site and re-download a new version.

Baz.

[ath]

Merry Xmas Everyone!

Long time lurker, first time poster here. Thought I'd chime in as I had a few difficulties getting Lovejoy to appear in my version of Stellarium too but managed to get it to work after following a few additional steps past what Michaellxv posted above:

Configuration window (F2)->plugins->solar system editor->configure->solar system->import orbital elements in MPC format->click on 'Comets' and on the same screen select 'MPC's list of observable comets' from the drop down menu->then click 'get orbital elements'. A progress bar will appear at the bottom right hand corner of the screen and once completed another screen will appear titled 'Import Data'->click 'Mark all' and finally click 'Add Objects'.

Once you have performed these steps, exit out of all menu's and using the Search function enter "C/2011 w3" (without quotations) and click search, typing just 'Lovejoy' in doesn't seem to work.

I'm using Stellarium 0.11.1.

Hope this helps!

I'm yet to see Lovejoy despite being out the last three mornings. *yawn* Two of which were in metro Melbourne and this morning in Gippsland (Stratford). Gonna try again this morning but don't like my chances with all these storms around. :(

Hoping my persistance pays off eventually...

All the best!

Cheers,

Andrew

[mithrandir]

David, that is a pre 0.10.6 (the oldest I have) version. Get the current one.

On that panel you screenshot there will be "Solar System Editor" and a few other new ones. Click the "Load at startup" - it doesn't hurt to tick them all - go the "Main" tab and "Save settings".

Quit Stellarium and restart, they will not work until you do. Follow michaellxv or ath's directions.

[DavidU]

Thanks guys, all good now.

[Regulus]

I had no need to upgrade the comet files in this version to see Lovejoy.
However I have had no Love or Joy in seeing it these last 2 mornings. Try again at 4am tomorrow :-)

[mithrandir]

Trevor, Stellarium does not update the config with new comets or minors by itself. You have to use the Solar System Edit (or some deep magic to do it yourself) to add new objects or update the ephemeris for existing objects. It will update satellites automatically.

I got a bit of Love and Joy yesterday. Today I got lots of cloud.

[Regulus]

Last Thurs night I sprang out of bed at 3am to go photographing having had a wonderful view of the comet the previous night.
I was moving fast and kicked the corner of the wardrobe on the way to the light switch. I fell straight back into bed and swore myself to sleep clutching my foot.
My toe is fractured and totally black like a mummy :-)
No Love No Joy.
Still it's not over until it's over.
T

[Regulus]

Yep got that Andrew but I downloaded the latest version around the time you posted and went to follow your instructions re: the Comet file and found that it was unnecessary. I am presuming they have added those files to the downloadable exe.

Thanks tho for the posts and encouragement.

Trev

[mithrandir]

Trev, the orbital elements are updated from time to time as more observations are made. For a comet with a fairly short observation span like Lovejoy they can change quite a bit. I'd refresh the comets data at least once a week, at least until it becomes unobservable with your gear.