Pluto's position is computed for the simulation instant by astronomy-engine, an analytic ephemeris model. There is no snapshot to age: the same code gives the same answer for any date.
Methodastronomy-engine (analytic planetary and lunar model; Sun through Pluto and the Moon)
UncertaintyRoughly arcminute-level against JPL ephemerides for 1700 to 2200; fixture tests compare selected dates with Horizons.
LimitPositions in the 3D scene are heliocentric J2000 equatorial coordinates; observer-facing tables are apparent, of date, and topocentric (see the frame statements).
IdentityCatalog
Pluto source record
Pluto is presented using measured atmosphere extent and structure; display-bounded aerosol scattering data.
MethodThis describes the displayed appearance only; it does not certify catalog dimensions, orbital elements or unobserved geology.
DescriptionUndocumented
Description and facts
The short description and the fact list are written by the Space Time authors for orientation. They are not quoted from a catalog field and carry no citation of their own.
SourceSpace Time editorial text
LimitBackground reading is linked under Further reading; it is not the source of the displayed numbers.
Engine and frame
Engine: astronomy-engine (analytic planetary and lunar model; Sun through Pluto and the Moon)
Frame (3D scene): heliocentric J2000 equatorial positions from astronomy-engine, rotated into the scene's ecliptic basis
Frame (tables): RA/Dec are apparent, of date (true equator and equinox of the instant), with annual aberration applied; not J2000
Origin: topocentric for the chosen observer (distance is observer-to-body, not geocentric)
Refraction: altitude includes standard atmospheric refraction (astronomy-engine "normal" model); azimuth is unaffected
Magnitude: astronomy-engine Illumination(): phase-dependent planetary magnitudes (Mercury and Venus per Hilton 2005), Saturn includes ring tilt, Moon and Sun use its built-in curves; no atmospheric extinction
Size: angular diameter from IAU equatorial radii and the topocentric distance
Constellation: IAU boundaries evaluated on the position precessed back to J2000
What is not measured
Appearance: a reconstruction from measurements, not a direct observation. New Horizons color mosaic. Resolution varies. Unmapped southern areas use a smooth color continuation, not measured terrain.
Not yet documented
Description: Background reading is linked under Further reading; it is not the source of the displayed numbers.
Dataset freshness
Snapshots this page depends on, read from the generated manifests at request time.
Space Time