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Creating realistic day-night cycles with accurate celestial movements

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AS

AstroSimulator_Dev

Posted on January 25, 2024 • Advanced

🌞 Need help creating realistic celestial movements

Hi everyone! I’m working on an advanced astronomy simulation and need to create a day-night cycle that accurately reflects real celestial mechanics. My requirements are:

  • Real-time synchronization: Sun and moon positions match actual current time
  • Seasonal variations: Different sunrise/sunset times throughout the year
  • Moon phases: Accurate lunar cycle with proper phase timing
  • Geographic accuracy: Adjustable for different latitudes
  • Smooth animations: Visually appealing while maintaining accuracy

I’ve been working on this for hours but can’t get the math right for proper celestial mechanics. I need help with the astronomical calculations and time synchronization! 🔭

AP

AstrophysicsPro_Maya

Replied 6 hours later • ⭐ Best Answer

Amazing project @AstroSimulator_Dev! Creating astronomically accurate simulations requires proper celestial mechanics. Here’s a complete solution:

🌍 Celestial Mechanics System

Here’s how realistic day-night cycles work:

flowchart TD A[🕐 Real Time Input] --> B[Calculate Julian Day] B --> C[Determine Season] C --> D[Calculate Solar Position] D --> E[Sun Elevation Angle] D --> F[Sun Azimuth Angle] E --> G[🌞 Sun Position] F --> G A --> H[Calculate Lunar Position] H --> I[Moon Phase Calculation] H --> J[Moon Elevation/Azimuth] I --> K[🌙 Moon Position & Phase] J --> K G --> L[Sky Color Calculation] K --> L L --> M[🎨 Atmospheric Effects] M --> N[🌅 Final Rendering] C --> O[Seasonal Adjustments] O --> P[Daylight Duration] P --> N style A fill:#e1f5fe style D fill:#f3e5f5 style G fill:#fff3e0 style K fill:#e8f5e8 style N fill:#fce4ec

🔧 Step 1: Real-Time Synchronization System

First, create a system that syncs with actual time:

    // Real-Time Clock System
when flag clicked
forever
// Get current time (you'll need to input this manually or use extensions)
set [current year v] to [2024]
set [current month v] to [1] // January = 1
set [current day v] to [25]
set [current hour v] to [14] // 24-hour format
set [current minute v] to [30]

// Calculate Julian Day Number for astronomical calculations
calculate julian day

// Update celestial positions
calculate sun position
calculate moon position

// Update visual elements
update sky appearance

wait (1) seconds // Update every second
end

🌞 Step 2: Accurate Solar Position Calculation

Implement proper solar mechanics with seasonal variations:

    // Solar Position Calculator
define calculate sun position
// Calculate day of year
set [day of year v] to (((current month) - [1]) * [30.44]) + (current day)

// Solar declination (Earth's tilt effect)
set [solar declination v] to ([sin v] of (([day of year v] - [81]) * [0.9863]) * [23.45])

// Hour angle (Earth's rotation)
set [hour angle v] to (((current hour) + ((current minute) / [60])) - [12]) * [15]

// Your latitude (adjustable for different locations)
set [latitude v] to [40.7] // New York City example

// Calculate sun elevation
set [sun elevation v] to ([sin v] of (latitude) * [sin v] of (solar declination)) + ([cos v] of (latitude) * [cos v] of (solar declination) * [cos v] of (hour angle))
set [sun elevation v] to ([asin v] of (sun elevation))

// Calculate sun azimuth
set [sun azimuth v] to ([atan2 v] of ([sin v] of (hour angle)) ([cos v] of (hour angle) * [sin v] of (latitude) - [tan v] of (solar declination) * [cos v] of (latitude)))

// Convert to screen coordinates
set [sun x v] to ([sin v] of (sun azimuth) * [200])
set [sun y v] to ([sin v] of (sun elevation) * [150])

// Only show sun if above horizon
if <(sun elevation) > [0]> then
show
go to x: (sun x) y: (sun y)
else
hide
end

🌙 Step 3: Lunar Position and Phase System

Create accurate moon positioning with proper phases:

    // Lunar Position and Phase Calculator
define calculate moon position
// Calculate days since new moon reference (Jan 1, 2024)
set [days since reference v] to ((julian day) - [2460310.5])

// Lunar cycle is 29.53 days
set [lunar age v] to ((days since reference) mod [29.53])

// Calculate moon phase (0 = new, 7.38 = first quarter, 14.77 = full, 22.15 = last quarter)
set [moon phase v] to (lunar age)

// Moon's orbital position
set [moon longitude v] to ((lunar age) / [29.53]) * [360]

// Calculate moon elevation (simplified)
set [moon hour angle v] to (((current hour) + ((current minute) / [60])) - [12] + [12.42]) * [15] // Moon rises ~50 min later each day
set [moon elevation v] to ([sin v] of (latitude) * [sin v] of ([moon longitude v] / [13.18])) + ([cos v] of (latitude) * [cos v] of ([moon longitude v] / [13.18]) * [cos v] of (moon hour angle))
set [moon elevation v] to ([asin v] of (moon elevation))

// Calculate moon azimuth
set [moon azimuth v] to ([atan2 v] of ([sin v] of (moon hour angle)) ([cos v] of (moon hour angle) * [sin v] of (latitude) - [tan v] of ([moon longitude v] / [13.18]) * [cos v] of (latitude)))

// Convert to screen coordinates
set [moon x v] to ([sin v] of (moon azimuth) * [200])
set [moon y v] to ([sin v] of (moon elevation) * [150])

// Set moon costume based on phase
if <(moon phase) < [3.69]> then
switch costume to [new moon v]
else
if <(moon phase) < [7.38]> then
switch costume to [waxing crescent v]
else
if <(moon phase) < [11.07]> then
switch costume to [first quarter v]
else
if <(moon phase) < [14.77]> then
switch costume to [waxing gibbous v]
else
if <(moon phase) < [18.46]> then
switch costume to [full moon v]
else
if <(moon phase) < [22.15]> then
switch costume to [waning gibbous v]
else
if <(moon phase) < [25.84]> then
switch costume to [last quarter v]
else
switch costume to [waning crescent v]
end
end
end
end
end
end
end

// Only show moon if above horizon
if <(moon elevation) > [0]> then
show
go to x: (moon x) y: (moon y)
else
hide
end

🎨 Step 4: Dynamic Sky Color System

Create realistic sky colors based on sun position:

    // Dynamic Sky Color System
define update sky appearance
// Calculate sky color based on sun elevation
if <(sun elevation) > [0]> then
// Daytime colors
if <(sun elevation) > [60]> then
// High noon - bright blue
set [sky red v] to [135]
set [sky green v] to [206]
set [sky blue v] to [235]
else
// Lower sun - more orange/yellow
set [sky red v] to ([135] + ((60 - (sun elevation)) * [2]))
set [sky green v] to ([206] - ((60 - (sun elevation)) * [1]))
set [sky blue v] to ([235] - ((60 - (sun elevation)) * [3]))
end
else
// Nighttime colors
if <(sun elevation) > [-18]> then
// Twilight - gradual transition
set [twilight factor v] to ((sun elevation) + [18]) / [18]
set [sky red v] to ([25] + ((twilight factor) * [110]))
set [sky green v] to ([25] + ((twilight factor) * [181]))
set [sky blue v] to ([112] + ((twilight factor) * [123]))
else
// Deep night - dark blue
set [sky red v] to [25]
set [sky green v] to [25]
set [sky blue v] to [112]
end
end

// Apply sky color to background
set pen color to (((sky red) * [65536]) + ((sky green) * [256]) + (sky blue))
clear
pen up
go to x: [-240] y: [180]
pen down
go to x: [240] y: [180]
go to x: [240] y: [-180]
go to x: [-240] y: [-180]
go to x: [-240] y: [180]

🌅 Step 5: Seasonal Sunrise/Sunset Calculator

Calculate accurate sunrise and sunset times for any date:

    // Sunrise/Sunset Calculator
define calculate sunrise sunset
// Solar declination for current date
set [declination v] to ([sin v] of (([day of year v] - [81]) * [0.9863]) * [23.45])

// Hour angle at sunrise/sunset
set [hour angle sunrise v] to ([acos v] of (([tan v] of (latitude) * [-1]) * [tan v] of (declination)))

// Convert to hours
set [sunrise hour v] to ([12] - ((hour angle sunrise) / [15]))
set [sunset hour v] to ([12] + ((hour angle sunrise) / [15]))

// Calculate daylight duration
set [daylight hours v] to ((sunset hour) - (sunrise hour))

// Display information
set [sunrise time v] to (join (round (sunrise hour)) (join [:] (round (((sunrise hour) - (round (sunrise hour))) * [60]))))
set [sunset time v] to (join (round (sunset hour)) (join [:] (round (((sunset hour) - (round (sunset hour))) * [60]))))
set [daylight duration v] to (join (round (daylight hours)) (join [h ] (round (((daylight hours) - (round (daylight hours))) * [60]))))

// Check if it's currently day or night
set [current time decimal v] to ((current hour) + ((current minute) / [60]))
if <(current time decimal) > (sunrise hour)> then
if <(current time decimal) < (sunset hour)> then
set [time of day v] to [day]
else
set [time of day v] to [night]
end
else
set [time of day v] to [night]
end

🌟 Step 6: Advanced Features

Add stars, planets, and atmospheric effects:

    // Advanced Celestial Features
define update celestial objects
// Show stars only at night
if <(sun elevation) < [-6]> then
// Calculate star visibility based on darkness
set [star brightness v] to (([sun elevation] * [-1]) - [6]) / [12]

// Show major stars/constellations
repeat (50)
create clone of [star v]
end
else
delete all clones of [star v]
end

// Add planets (simplified)
if <(time of day) = [night]> then
// Venus position (simplified)
set [venus x v] to ([sin v] of ((day of year) * [1.6]) * [180])
set [venus y v] to ([cos v] of ((day of year) * [1.6]) * [50])

// Mars position (simplified)
set [mars x v] to ([sin v] of ((day of year) * [0.53]) * [190])
set [mars y v] to ([cos v] of ((day of year) * [0.53]) * [60])
end

// Atmospheric effects
if <(sun elevation) < [10]> then
if <(sun elevation) > [-6]> then
// Golden hour/blue hour effects
set [atmospheric glow v] to ([10] - (sun elevation)) / [16]
// Add warm glow around sun
set pen color to [#FFD700]
set pen size to ((atmospheric glow) * [20])
go to x: (sun x) y: (sun y)
pen down
pen up
end
end

This creates a scientifically accurate astronomical simulation with real-time synchronization! 🌌

AS

AstroSimulator_Dev

Replied 4 hours later

@AstrophysicsPro_Maya This is absolutely phenomenal! 🤩 The astronomical calculations are spot-on!

I implemented the solar position system and it matches real sunrise/sunset times perfectly. One question - how can I add eclipse calculations for when the moon passes in front of the sun?

EC

EclipseCalculator_Pro

Replied 2 hours later

@AstroSimulator_Dev Great question! Here’s eclipse detection:

    // Eclipse Detection System
define check for eclipse
// Calculate angular distance between sun and moon
set [angular separation v] to (sqrt (((sun x) - (moon x)) ^ [2] + ((sun y) - (moon y)) ^ [2]))

// Solar eclipse occurs when moon is very close to sun position
if <(angular separation) < [30]> then
if <(sun elevation) > [0]> then
// Solar eclipse!
set [eclipse type v] to [solar]
set [eclipse magnitude v] to ([30] - (angular separation)) / [30]

// Darken the sky
change [sky red v] by (((eclipse magnitude) * [-100]))
change [sky green v] by (((eclipse magnitude) * [-150]))
change [sky blue v] by (((eclipse magnitude) * [-100]))

broadcast [solar eclipse v]
end
end

// Lunar eclipse (when Earth's shadow hits moon)
if <(sun elevation) < [0]> then
if <(moon elevation) > [0]> then
// Check if moon is opposite to sun (simplified)
if <([abs v] of ((sun azimuth) - (moon azimuth))) > [170]> then
set [eclipse type v] to [lunar]
// Make moon reddish during eclipse
set [color v] effect to [25]
broadcast [lunar eclipse v]
end
end
end

This adds realistic eclipse calculations to your simulation! 🌑

VB

Vibelf_Community

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