Version 3.2 is now available (slight change in color scheme).

Sun Moon Planets Simulation is a free program that uses astronomical algorithms to solve basic equations in celestial mechanics. The program simulates the orbital motion of the planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) around the Sun. The planetary motion is solved for any selected day(s) and then the data is put into a set of tables for observational applications.

I wish to acknowledge Jean Meeus and his book Astronomical Algorithms, PJ Naughter for his coding insights, also, Oliver Montenbruck and Thomas Pfleger's book Astronomy on the Personal Computer.

When you click the download button below, you will actually be downloading two programs in the zipped folder: the first is the Sun Moon Planets Simulation (SMPS), and the second is a Minor Planet & Comet Search Utility. This Search Utility is designed to search the Minor Planet Center (MPC) for data regarding asteroids and comets. The data includes orbital elements, observations, and ephemeris tables. Orbital elements that are downloaded from the MPC by this Search Utility can be used in the SMPS program to show the orbit of asteroids and comets. Note that the Search Utility uses Python to access the data at the MPC. The zipped folder also includes examples of Python scripts that use AstroPy and Astroquery. Make sure you read the Help information so that you can install the required Python program and libraries necessary for searching the MPC.