Changing Parameters

In the upper left part of the applet view  is a button labeld "Enter".  It is here that you click to begin a simulation once you have set the parameters.    Note:  Nothing changes, even after you set new parameters, until you click the "Enter" button! 

• Masses of the Stars:  Just below the "Enter" button are two boxes labeled "M1" and "M2".  It is here that you change the masses of the stars.  In the example below, the mass of star #1 (M1) is 3 solar masses, and the mass of star #2 (M2) is 1 solar mass.

• Orbital Separations:  Just below the boxes for the masses is a slidebar, to the left of which is found the label "a".  This is the distance between the stars, or orbital separation, in astronomical units (AU).  To change the orbital separation, place the cursor (in the real applet!) on rectangular box within the slidebar, hold down the left mouse button, and slide the box until the desired orbital separation in AU appears below the slidebar (possibilities vary between 0.1 AU and 2.0 AU).  In the exmple below, the orbital separation has been set to 1 AU.

• Eccentricity:   Just below the slidebar for the orbital separation is a slidebar, to the left of which is found the label "e".  This is the eccentricity of the orbits.  To change the eccentricity, place the cursor (in the real applet!) on rectangular box within the slidebar, hold down the left mouse button, and slide the box until the desired eccentricity appears below the slidebar (possibilities vary between 0.0 and 0.9).  In the exmple below, the eccentricity has been set to 0.5.

• Inclination:  Just below the slidebar for the eccentricity is a slidebar, to the left of which is found the label "i".  This is the inclination of the orbits.  To change the inclination, place the cursor (in the real applet!) on rectangular box within the slidebar, hold down the left mouse button, and slide the box until the desired inclination appears below the slidebar (possibilities vary between 0.0 and 90.0 degrees).  In the exmple below, the inclination has been set to 75 degrees.

• W:   This is a parameter we need not discuss.  Please leave this slidebar in its default position.

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