Spacecraft.EarthShadowTimes() Method

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Description

Determines the entry time, exit time, and duration of a Spacecraft's pass through the Earth's shadow.

The shadow times are determined using a conical shadow. The algorithm to determine the times a Spacecraft is in any portion of the Earth's shadow is shown in the diagram below.

The algorithm used to determine when the Spacecraft is in any portion of the Earth's shadow.

Note: This method uses a spherical model for the Earth. Use the options available in the VisibilityCalculator to exercise more control over the analysis.

Timing Precision Mode

This page describes functionality in nanosecond timing precision mode.

Click here to see the documentation for this object in millisecond timing precision mode.

Note: This is an interval method. See the Interval Methods page for more information.

Note: This method has a state. See the Methods and Properties with State page for more information.

Method Signature

Spacecraft.EarthShadowTimes(

)

Return Value

Type:

string

Returns the entry time, exit time, and duration of a Spacecraft's pass through the Earth's shadow.

The FF_Preferences.IntervalEventReportingBehavior property controls whether the start and end of propagation are reported as events. By default, if the time in shadow starts before the beginning of the propagation span, FreeFlyer will label the start of the propagation as the start of the time in shadow. If the time in shadow extends past the end of the propagation span, FreeFlyer labels the end of propagation as the end of the time in shadow.

Syntax

myString1 = mySpacecraft1.EarthShadowTimes();