Date of Award
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Computer Science
Department
School of Computer Science and Engineering
First Advisor
Schubert, Keith Evan
Second Advisor
Gomez, Ernesto
Third Advisor
Botting, Richard
Abstract
The aim of this research was to create an extensible simulator that will not only calculate the trajectories of planets and comets using a numerical method, but be able to graphically simulate them. The significance of this project is its ability to be a useful tool to computer scientists, astronomers, and physicists by determining how an arbitrary set of celestial bodies interact with one another. It allows definition of bodies that belong to a system, and creates a graphical simulation of them based on their specific properties. Ideas are then easily conveyed not only to colleagues, but to the public as well through the simulation. The most interesting feature of this tool however, is its extensibility over time. Those scientists who wish to extend this tool can do so by incorporating different numerical methods, gravitational functions, or more detailed algorithms describing behavior of a certain body or force.
Recommended Citation
Wiser-Orozco, Natalie Anne, "Extensible simulation of planets and comets" (2008). Theses Digitization Project. 3438.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/3438
