Object Paths dialog box (Tools | Time Skip | Object Paths)

Use this dialog box to show the path a solar system object travels over time.

Visible

Mark this option to show the paths for the solar system objects on the Virtual Sky.

Create Path For

Select the solar system object to create a path. The planets, Sun, Moon, comets and minor planets are listed.

Fixed Length Path (Compute When Path is Created)

Mark this option to create a path for the object over a specific time period. For example, you could create a path of the Sun over one year (or one day, or any other time period).

Options Group

Increment

Specify the increment of time to skip before computing and displaying the position of the selected solar system object.

Count

Specify the number of increments for the total length of the path.

Time Skip Path (Path is Updated During Time Skip)

Mark this option to have TheSky create and plot a path for the selected object during time skip simulations. Unlike the Fixed Length Path option, this path generated using this option is open-ended. That is, the path will be shown continuously until the Visible option is turned off.

Path Style

Specify the style of time skip path:

• Connected Line - draws a line between successive positions.

• Dots at Each Position - draws a small circle at each position.

• Object Symbol at Each Position - draws the symbol for the selected object each time the object's position is updated.

Create Path

Click this button to generate the path for the selected object.

Computed Paths Group

This group contains options for labeling, showing and maintaining object paths.

Add Labels

Click this button to specify labeling options for the object path. See the Add Labels dialog box for details.