This block represents the position of a planetary body over time. The X, and Y coordinate positions of the body in space are saved inside the block, and output through the output connector.
Initial information about the position, mass, density, and initial motion of the block is entered into the dialog box.
The connectors on the planet blocks output arrays of information. These arrays include all the information associated with that planet, including the position, mass, density, and type. The other blocks in the model use the information in the array to perform calculations.
To see the interactions of the planets during a simulation run, you should connect the outputs of all the planet blocks to the inputs on a planet plotter block.
The numbers used for mass and density are not in any particular units.
The pictures used to represent the various planets are in a file called planets. This file needs to be in the Extend Extensions folder for the Planet block to function correctly.
CONNECTORS
The Three input connectors input the arrays of planetary information output by the other Planet blocks in the model. For a given planet to be affected by the position, and mass of another planet, you must connect the output connector of the other planet to one of the input connectors of the first.
PARAMETERS
Mass: The mass of the planet.
Density: The density of the planet.
Initial x: Initial x location of the planet.
Initial y: Initial y location of the planet.
Delta x: initial x motion of the planet.
Delta y: Initial y Motion of the planet.
Moon -- Earth checkboxes: Selection of one of these checkboxes determines which picture from the Extensions folder will be user to represent the planet.
Animation
The icon of the planet block changes based on which of the radio buttons in the dialog is selected.
