Binary Orbits and Barycenter points - Universe Sandbox 2 Screenshot

[Dan Dixon]

A work in progress screenshot of some of the new features in Universe Sandbox 2:
- Binary orbits with a single click
- Add selectable calculated points to the scene (like the Barycenter of selected objects)

This scene was created totally with the mouse:
1 - Add 3 stars with the New Body tool.
2 - Select two of them with the multiselect tool (Alpha Centauri A & Alpha Centauri B) and click on the Binary orbit button (not pictured)
3 - While the stars are still selected click on the Add Barycenter button.
4 - Select the Barycenter and the remaining star (the Sun).
5 - Click on the Binary orbit button again.
6 - Select the individual stars and change their color (early developer UI of this ability is shown)

While it's not obvious from the screenshot the browser window interface (on the left) is much faster and more reliable. It's almost been completely rewritten. The look of the pages themselves will be updated before the final release in early 2010.

So what's special about the screenshot?
- Alpha Centauri A & Alpha Centauri B are in a binary orbit of each other.
- The Sun is in a binary orbit of the group (A & B).
- This was all accomplished using the new interface.

Here are some animations from Wikipedia that illustrate both binary orbits and what a barycenter is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barycenter#Animations

Alpha Centauri A's mass isn't accurate in this screenshot, for testing purposes I had set A=1.5 suns and B=0.5 suns.

Universe Sandbox 2 will be released in early 2010.

[Bla]

Nice! I can't wait until it's released.

[Naru523]

Awesome. But I can still see the galaxy tab icon isn't there...

[SuperNova]

i can't make any object orbiting a Binary object 

i made 2 earths, but the moon won't orbit them!

[SuperNova]

i can't make any object orbiting a Binary object 

i made 2 earths, but the moon won't orbit them!

i found it, so no need
but i can't make a binary systems sins a binary center just shares 1 planet

[Dan Dixon]

but i can't make a binary systems sins a binary center just shares 1 planet

Ask this again, I'm not sure what you mean.

[Chaotic Cow]

I think he said, "But I can't make a binary system since a binary center just shares 1 planet."

[SuperNova]

simpel: i wan't more then 1 planet a Binary Star

[Dan Dixon]

@SuperNova
You want to put more than one planet in orbit around a binary star system?

[Chaotic Cow]

Sorry Nova but Dan and I are having trouble reading your English. No offense I hope.

[Naru523]

Nova wants more than one planet to orbit the binary star systems.

EXAMPLE: Systems made by Baleur (Its the one with the Binary Neutron System)

[Dan Dixon]

This only works in Beta 2:

1 - Select both stars and create a barycenter point.
2 - Now select just the barycenter point and the planet.
3 - Click on "Make Binary Orbit"

This will make the planet orbit both stars. Repeat steps 2 & 3 for each planet you want to orbit the barycenter.

@Naru523
Does that work for you?

[SuperNova]

@SuperNova
You want to put more than one planet in orbit around a binary star system?

yeah, thats what i want