[Space] System Generator

[Rupert]

Originally Posted by Agemegos

There ought to be a little table of moons on a planet's sheet, listing their distance, period, and world type. Maybe apparent size as well?

Apparent size would be really useful. So would the moon's significance in causing tides (unless that's linked directly to some other stat already available - I forget).

[Captain Joy]

Originally Posted by Agemegos

Abbreviations and a key can be useful in saving space when you have a table with multiple entries, but when you have a form with a single entry it just moves bulk from on place on the page to another, inefficiently

Of course, I was referring to using abbreviations on the system sheet, where the width of the columns is a premium and there are many rows. Alternatively, you could make a cover page with a key that you hand out once to new players.

Originally Posted by Agemegos

Of course. But since we don't have molar fractions to work with....

True, but I'd rather see molar content/volume atmospheric abundances than tidal effects due to moons. I'm trying to convince you the extra work will be worth it (so that I won't have to bother with it :) )

Originally Posted by Agemegos

What is [mass] good for?

Not much I guess. But, it's the most basic parameter a physical body has; as such, any self-respecting Planetary Record Sheet should include it. Unless--and this is perfectly reasonable--the intent of said sheet is *only* to provide info that readily impacts the space-farer's senses.

Originally Posted by Agemegos

There ought to be a little table of moons on a planet's sheet, listing their distance, period, and world type. Maybe apparent size as well?

Apparent size would rock. That, and period, would allow you to easily describe them to player's on the planet's surface. Some moons orbit fast enough that you actually notice them moving across the sky. Some will appear to move backwards.

[Rupert]

That'd be cool. It's useful when considering how wide tidal zones are, how exciting any tidal bores might be, and how likely it is that coastal port cities dominate development.

[Fnordianslip]

Originally Posted by Agemegos

I think I had better add escape velocity.

Is pressure in bar alright, or should I add kPa (and eventually p.s.i)?

Good call on escape velocity. As for pressure, meh, who cares? Pick whichever unit you use the most. Conversion is as easy as typing, XXX Bar in kPa into google.

[Rupert]

Originally Posted by Captain Joy

Apparent size would rock. That, and period, would allow you to easily describe them to player's on the planet's surface. Some moons orbit fast enough that you actually notice them moving across the sky. Some will appear to move backwards.

That's why I wanted tidal effects. They are something character will notice, assuming they near a body of water big enough to have tides.

[Rupert]

Originally Posted by Fnordianslip

Good call on escape velocity. As for pressure, meh, who cares? Pick whichever unit you use the most. Conversion is as easy as typing, XXX Bar in kPa into google.

For rough 'n' ready 1 bar = 100 kPa.

[Captain Joy]

Originally Posted by Agemegos

parent size of the sun and moons seen from a planet .... Would you like it in degrees, or as a multiple of the apparent size of Earth's Sun and Moon?

I'd prefer degrees.

Originally Posted by Agemegos

Yes, I guess I have to list apparent period....

If you include the orbital period of the planets on the system sheet, you could include the sidereal orbital period of the moons in the same column. On the planetary record sheet, you could record the apparent period of each moon. On the moon record sheet, you could record the solar orbital period of the moon, which the inhabitants would refer to as their day. Of course, I'm just throwing out suggestions. There could easily be better ways of providing this information; assuming it's worth providing in the first place.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Rupert

That's why I wanted tidal effects. They are something character will notice, assuming they near a body of water big enough to have tides.

Don't forget that tides vary away from the open oceans. The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world averaging 52 feet versus the normal 3.

[Rupert]

Incidentally, it's occured to me that tidal force should be derivable from the moon's apparent size and its density.

[Mgellis]

Will it be ready for download soon?

(Sorry...not trying to rush you...I'm just really looking forward to this.)

Mark