mix eph.generate_kernel (eph_core v0.1.0)

Copy Markdown View Source

Generates an SPK kernel for a small body using the JPL Horizons API.

Downloads a Type 21 (Extended Modified Difference Array) SPK file from Horizons and saves it to priv/ephemeris/spk/asteroids/{naif_id}.bsp.

Usage

mix eph.generate_kernel NAIF_ID [options]

Arguments

  • NAIF_ID — NAIF/SPICE body ID (e.g. 2000001 for Ceres, 2000004 for Vesta). Must be an IAU numbered asteroid (2000001–2887103) or use the --name option for named lookup.

Options

  • --name NAME — resolve by name instead of NAIF ID (e.g. --name Ceres)
  • --start DATE — coverage start (default: 1900-01-01)
  • --stop DATE — coverage stop (default: 2200-01-01)
  • --out PATH — output path (default: priv/ephemeris/spk/asteroids/NAIF_ID.bsp)
  • --force — overwrite existing file

Examples

mix eph.generate_kernel 2000001
mix eph.generate_kernel 2000001 --start 1980-01-01 --stop 2050-01-01
mix eph.generate_kernel 2000001 --name "Ceres" --force

Notes

The Horizons API endpoint used is: https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/api/horizons_file.api

Requests must use COMMAND='DES=NAIF_ID;' for numbered asteroid lookup. The API returns a JSON response containing base64-encoded SPK binary data.