# Need javascript to solve xyz for a kepler

I have a python program that I use to calculate the xyz positions of a point in a kepler orbit.

https://github.com/sczesla/PyAstronomy/blob/master/src/pyasl/asl/keplerOrbit.py

It takes the following values to define the orbit.

• semi-major axis
• orbit period
• eccentricity
• longitude of the ascending node
• inclination
• longitude of the pericenter

I can then get a position by supplying a time value.

The solution to my problem would be A javascript function that takes the same values as the python one above, and if given a time returns an xyz.

I have not been able to find such a script - if one exists that could be pointed out to me that would solve my problem.

There is one that comes close:

https://github.com/lizard-isana/orb.js/blob/master/src/kepler.js

but this takes different values to calculate the orbit:

• GM
• semi_major_axis
• eccentricity
• inclination
• longitude_of_ascending_node
• argument_of_periapsis
• time_of_periapsis

It will then give an xyz position if supplied with a time.

However I only have the values that I give to the python script above.

I can see how it might be possible, with minor modifications, that orb.js might be tweaked to perform as keplerOrbit.py but I am neither a javascript programmer or a mathematician.

Any help really appreciated - Thanks.

• Can you clarity "longitude of the pericenter"? The term does not appear in your code. – SE - stop firing the good guys Apr 4 at 13:16
• "longitude of the pericenter" is Argument of periapsis. – deMangler Apr 12 at 17:07

Seeing that you already have the orbital period, you can use the mean anomaly directly to calculate the time parameter. This should work if you set time_of_periapsis to 0, as you have all the other required parameters. (GM is 1 since your python program assumes a unit mass system)

Combine everything to a wrapper function, containing nothing but parameter translation and a call to the kepler.js function (kepler.js already has a method of calculating mean anomaly, so you don't need to port any code)

//somewhat pseudocode-ish, as it depends on how you actually want to supply the parameters
function keplerOrbitPy_xyz(/*keplerOrbitPy parameters*/){
let GM = 1;
let semi_major_axis = keplerOrbitPy.semi_major_axis;
let eccentricity = keplerOrbitPy.eccentricity;
let inclination = keplerOrbitPy.inclination;
let longitude_of_ascending_node = keplerOrbitPy.longitude_of_ascending_node;
let argument_of_periapsis = keplerOrbitPy.argument_of_periapsis;
let time_of_periapsis = 0;
let time = keplerOrbitPy.orbital_period * /*(kepler.js mean anomaly calculation here)*/ / (2*Math.PI);
return //call to kepler.js xyz here
}

• Thank you. This perfectly gave me what I need. I am in the process of refining my code but from my initial dirty hack the figures are good - already I understand how to do so because of your clarity. – deMangler Apr 4 at 17:06