• Processing (Info)

  • Export Format for Natural Satellite Orbits

    This document describes the format used for orbits of natural satellites, as used in the Natural Satellites Observers Page.

    Orbital elements for natural satellites are planet-barycentric.


    The column headed `F77' indicates the Fortran 77 format specifier that should be used to read the specified value.

       Columns   F77    Use
    
        1 -  12  a12    Number or provisional designation
                          (in packed form)
    
       14 -  18  a5     Epoch (in packed form, .0 TT)
    
       20 -  32  f13.5  Time of perihelion (JDT)
    
       34 -  42  f9.5   Argument of perihelion, J2000.0 (degrees)
       44 -  52  f9.5   Longitude of the ascending node, J2000.0
                          (degrees)
       54 -  62  f9.5   Inclination to the ecliptic, J2000.0 (degrees)
    
       64 -  72  f9.7   Orbital eccentricity
       74 -  82  f9.7   Periapsis distance (AU)
    
       84 -  85  i2     Central body (05 = Jupiter, 06 = Saturn,
                          07 = Uranus, 08 = Neptune)
       87 -  91  f5.2   Absolute magnitude, H
    
       93 -  98  i6     Observed arc (days)
      100 - 104  i5     Number of observations
    
      106 - 108  a3     Orbit computer
      110 - 118  a9     Publication reference
    
      120 - 124  a5     Date (UT) of first included observation (in packed form)
      126 - 130  a5     Date (UT) of last included observation (in packed form)
    
      132 - 136  f5.2   r.m.s residual (")
      138 - 140  a3     Coarse indicator of perturbers
      142 - 144  a3     Precise indicator of perturbers
                        (blank if unperturbed one-opposition object)
      146 -      a      Name of satellite