Spacecraft.ShadowTimes(String, Array, Array) Method

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Description

Determines the entry time, exit time, and duration of a Spacecraft's pass through the shadow of a CelestialObject specified by celestialObjectName.

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

Algorithm used to determine if a Spacecraft is in the occulting body's shadow.

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

Timing Precision Mode

This page describes functionality in millisecond timing precision mode. Millisecond timing precision mode is deprecated and will be removed in a future release. We recommend that you migrate your Mission Plans to nanosecond timing precision mode.

Click here to see the documentation for this object in nanosecond 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.ShadowTimes(	String celestialObjectName,
	Array EventTime,
	Array EventType)

Arguments

celestialObjectName
Description:	String holding the name of the CelestialObject to use as the occulting body

EventTime

Description:

The time that the event occurred.

The FF_Preferences.IntervalEventReportingBehavior property controls whether the start of propagation is reported as an event. 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.

EventType
Description:	The type of the event that occurred. Event type == 1 is entry into annular shadow. Event type == 2 is exit from annular shadow. Event type == 101 is entry into umbral shadow. Event type == 102 is exit from umbral shadow. Event type == 201 is entry into penumbral shadow. Event type == 202 is exit from penumbral shadow.

Return Value

Type:

number

Returns the number of elements filled into EventType and EventTime arrays.

Syntax

myVariable1 = mySpacecraft1.ShadowTimes(myString1, myArray1, myArray2);