Beta Persei Simulation

[Tukuturi]

I created a simulation of the Beta Persei star system. Also known as Algol or the demon star, this triple star system contains a bright eclipsing binary that has captured the human imagination for centuries. As such, I felt it was a great way to learn about multiple star systems in Universe Sandbox.

The orbital periods seem fairly accurate but not perfect. I locked Algol A at 0,0,0 to make things easier to track, rather than letting the whole thing hurtle through space. If anyone has any advice or suggestions on how to make this simulation more accurate, I would appreciate them. Otherwise, have fun with the sim.

[Joshimitsu91]

Someone said somewhere that you can select the orbiting stars in your binary system and click "Balance Selected", so they won't move through space if you are viewing w.r.t "Absolute Space". I think if you lock a star in space it neglects the effect of gravity rather than centreing the view on that star (which would make the simulation less accurate).

The Lock function says "This neglects the effect of gravity by other bodies", so i presume that means one star will just sit there while the other orbits it, rather than them both orbiting their barycenter. Correct me if i'm wrong though!

Josh

[Dan Dixon]

Nice simulation. That's cool.

so i presume [Lock Position] means one star will just sit there while the other orbits it...

Yes. Correct.

To setup a more realistic simulation you don't want to lock anything down. Setup the system, then select everything (Ctrl+A) and then select "Balance Selected" to keep it from drifting away.

Did you see NeutronStar's reply how to on creating Binary Systems?
http://universesandbox.com/forum/index.php/topic,3432.0.html

[Tukuturi]

Thanks for checking it out.

I've tried unlocking and balancing everything. The stars stay together relative to each other, but the whole system still ends up drifting along the x and y axes in absolute space. This is really only an issue with lining things up on the background grid.

[atomic7732]

You could make the trails relative to the primary.

[Tukuturi]

I just found the option to change the center of the universe, which of course solves the problem. It's always the simple things. Thanks, NeutronStar.

[Omnigeek6]

Thanks for checking it out.

I've tried unlocking and balancing everything. The stars stay together relative to each other, but the whole system still ends up drifting along the x and y axes in absolute space. This is really only an issue with lining things up on the background grid.

I recommend selecting all three stars at one and clicking "balance selected".

You could make the trails relative to the primary.

Even better, make a barycenter for the objects, and make trails relative to the barycenter.

[Joshimitsu91]

Did you see NeutronStar's reply how to on creating Binary Systems?
http://universesandbox.com/forum/index.php/topic,3432.0.html

Yes i think that is where i got it from, was a great help to me. Congrats on a great sim by the way