The Parametric Plot

Use the Parametric plot, which is shown in dockable window, to plot pairs of data from the ephemeris table as a function of time (the parameter).

To create a parametric plot select Parametric plot->Assign data series from the main menu or press F8. The Parametric Plot Data Series dialog appears. Select the quantities to plot from the lists, click OK and a new plot is drawn immedeatly. When a plot is drawn, its axes are scaled automatically.

In the following example plot the heliocentric ecliptical longitude of Neptune (X-axis, horizontally) is drawn vs. the heliocentric ecliptical longitude of Pluto (Y-axis, vertically) over a time span of about 600 years to show the 3:2 mean motion resonance.

The selected series for the plot function remain in effect until the plot is reset or the ephemeris type changed. If the time of ephemeris computation is changed, a new plot is drawn along with the new calculation. To reset the plot as blank and cancel the data series, select Parametric plot->Reset from the main menu.

When moving the mouse cursor over the plot field, the x- and y-value corresponding to the position of the cursor are shown in the field below the plot. A plot marker is drawn corresponding to the current selected row of the ephemeris table. Selecting a row in the ephemeris table by clicking it with the left mouse button moves the plot marker to the corresponding position in the plot field.

To change the appearance of the plot select XY-Plot->Settings from the main menu. For more information see The Parametric Plot Settings Dialog.

For quick access to often used functions a contextual menu is assigned to the plot field. Right click on the plot and the menu appears.

Using the Clipboard

An image of the plot can copied into the Windows clipboard and then pasted (Ctrl-V) into other applications, as a word processor. To copy an image of the plot into Windows clipboard select Parametric plot->Copy to clipboard from the main menu.

Saving a Plot's Image

To save a plot as a graphics file (.jpg) select Parametric plot->Save as graphics file from the main menu and select a file name of the graphics file in the appearing Save plot as graphics file dialog.

Printing the Plot

To print a plot's image select Parametric plot->Print from the main menu, which brings up the Print dialog. Select the orientation (either portrait or landscape) and click OK. To see a preview of the page to be printed, select Print preview.

Alcyone Ephemeris Documentation
(C) 2007 Alcyone Software