This file provides descriptions of all the included scenarios. They are sorted by folder.
Examples
This folder contains files that illustrate principles of celestial dynamics.
Elliptical Orbit
A very simple setup, this file illustrates the elliptical orbit, with the ship in an elliptical orbit about the central object
Slingshot
This file shows the so-called “slingshot” effect, which can be very useful in Celest. The basic principle is that when falling into an object, the ship will leave with the same velocity that it approached with, relative to that object. However, it will end up with a different velocity relative to everything else. So, if the situation is set up correctly, it is possible to gain or lose velocity without using fuel.
Orbital modelling
This folder contains files that show how Celest can be used to show the effects of stellar configurations on orbital dynamics.
Double Star Stable
These two files show the two possibilities for a stable planetary orbit in a double-star system. The (inside) file shows the situation where the planet (modelled with the ship) is close enough to one star that the other doesn't siginificantly perturb its orbit. The (outside) file shows the situation where the planet orbits both stars at a great enough distance that the two stars act as a single gravitational pull on the planet. (Note: the planets strange orbit is due to the fact that Celest can only center on one object at a time. Since both stars are orbiting each other, the view shifts with the star in the center, making the planet’s orbit look funny.
Double Star Unstable
This shows the situation between the above two extremes, where the planet (again, modelled with the ship) is in an orbit where both stars will exert influence.
Scenarios
This folder contains scenarios for Celest. Since they will open with a brief description of what to do, that information will not be contained here.
