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- Views of Saturn
- ===============
- Version 2, Released 18/June/1991
-
- *=========================================================*
- | Emanuel Gruengrad E-Mail: F68413@BARILVM.BITNET |
- | Mathematics and Computer Science Departement |
- | Bar-Ilan University, Bar-Ilan Campus, Ramat-Gan, Israel |
- *=========================================================*
-
-
- INTRODUCTION
- ------------
-
- This program projects a mathematical model of a sunlit Saturn from any angle.
- Some of these are unfamiliar and impossible to be viewed from Earth. The
- program requires a CGA, (or EGA / VGA) screen.
-
- STATUS
- ------
-
- This is a freeware program. It may be copied and distributed freely, as long as
- no chrage is requested for these activities. It also may be donated, again
- freely, to non charging BBSs. No warranty, of any kind, is provided or assumed.
-
-
- INPUT
- -----
-
- The program expects as input three set of values, which MUST be integers:
-
- SA:
- The Altitude of the Sun above the Ring Plane. This will decide the direction of
- the illumination, thus effecting phases of Saturn, the Rings and their shadows.
- A value that is greater than 26° or smaller than -26° must imply that the
- source of illumination must be other than the Sun !?!?
-
- VA:
- The altitude of View Point above the Ring Plane. This is the Observer's
- location either from Earth or (if > abs[26°]) form a Spaceship.
-
- LD:
- The Saturnicentric Longitude difference between Sun and View Point. This is the
- differnce in azimuth between Sun and the Observer as measured from Saturn.
-
-
- SUGGESTIONS
- -----------
-
- For the familiar opposition view from Earth, try: sa = 26°, va = 26°, ld = 0°.
-
- For a view above the north pole, where it can be seen that the shadow of the
- globe does not quite reach the outer ring, try: sa = 26°, va = 90°, ld = 0°.
-
- In the famous picture from Voyager, below the ring plane a large part of the
- southern hemisphere is covered by the shadow of the rings. For this view,
- try: sa = 25°, va = -25°, ld = 45°.
-