Search Comet database

[Bobbo]

I was using the database to get the orbital elements, which seemed the most appropriate. Is there a better way?

[theskyhound]

Your original question had to do with looking up comets by their designation, presumably to determine if the comet was in the database.

What exactly do you mean by "get the orbital elements?" And in doing so, what were you trying to accomplish?

[obrazell]

I would have thought if you want orbital elements it is worth going elsewhere like http://astro.vanbuitenen.nl/cometels to find rather than trying to dig them out of SkyTools.

[PMSchu]

Hi Bob,

Here are the elements from JPL's SSD: [attachment=2163]

The eccentricity of this comet's orbit is slightly hyperbolic.

Hope this helps,

Phil S.

[theskyhound]

This is getting wildly off topic, and as far as I know we don't even know what the OP is trying to do. You can, of course, view the more interesting orbital elements on the Object Info.l There is no need to look elsewhere!

[Bobbo]

Gee whiz, this is turning into quite a kerfuffle.

My original post included "If I enter A1 in the Find Num I get no match either.", referring to why I wasn't getting any search hits. When I checked the help I found no explanation as to how to use Find Num. This has now been resolved, thank you. Case closed.

As to why I wanted to search for the comet in the first place using this method, I simply wanted to compare the orbital elements that ST was using with other sources.

Thanks to all for taking the time to respond, and may Santa bring you the next big thing in Astronomical gizmos.

Cheers

[PMSchu]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the Christmas wishes & may you also have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Enjoy the summer solstice, too  .

Phil S.