<h2>Python</h2>

<p>I see that you are quite active in Stack Overflow but have no posts tagged with <code>python</code> yet, so maybe it's time to give it a try!</p>

<ol>
<li>Run <code>pip install skyfield</code> </li>
<li>read the simple documentation: <a href="https://rhodesmill.org/skyfield/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://rhodesmill.org/skyfield/</a></li>
<li>calculate x, y, z positions in the solar system's coordinates with a single line of Python; e.g. `x, y, z = venus.at(time).position.km, or </li>
<li>use <code>Topos</code> to define a viewing location on Earth and the <code>.altaz()</code> method to get the position of each in the sky.</li>
</ol>

<h2>NASA JPL Horizions</h2>

<p>This is the same basic source of information that Skyfield uses.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Go to the Horizons website at: <a href="https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi</a></p></li>
<li><p>Follow the instructions I've written up in <a href="https://space.stackexchange.com/a/25357/12102">this answer</a>.</p></li>
<li>You can also read the documentation there to specify topographic coordinates and get positions in the sky, and you can do that <em>viewing from other planets and bodies as well!</em></li>
</ol>

<p>Have fun!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-18T13:27:14.350Z
Moved this answer [to here instead](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/a/29639/7982).
uhoh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-19T00:23:03.307Z
That was too hasty, now moved it back here again.
uhoh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-18T11:01:16.947Z
2019-02-18T11:13:25.180Z
2019-02-18T11:13:25.180Z
uhoh
<p>I'm curious if there is a readily accessible tool available, or simply a reliable way to find out what the distance of the planets in the solar system were on a given date.</p>

<p>For example, if I am trying to determine how far:</p>

<ol>
<li>The Sun</li>
<li>Mercury</li>
<li>Venus</li>
<li>Mars</li>
</ol>

<p>were from Earth on May 3, 1954 ... how would I do that?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-18T13:03:26.583Z
@uhoh I agree that your answer is better than the question peterh linked to, but is it better than the community wiki answer to [Where can I find/visualize planets/stars/moons/etc positions?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/13488/where-can-i-find-visualize-planets-stars-moons-etc-positions]) I haven't voted as a dupe to that question, but I'm leaning in that direction...
Chappo Hasn't Forgotten
<the-sun><distances><mars><venus><mercury>
Historical Distance of Planets to Earth
kmehta
# Historical Distance of Planets to Earth

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-02-18)

I'm curious if there is a readily accessible tool available, or simply a reliable way to find out what the distance of the planets in the solar system were on a given date.

For example, if I am trying to determine how far:

1. The Sun
2. Mercury
3. Venus
4. Mars

were from Earth on May 3, 1954 ... how would I do that?

**Tags:** the-sun, distances, mars, venus, mercury
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: @uhoh I agree that your answer is better than the question peterh linked to, but is it better than the community wiki answer to [Where can I find/visualize planets/stars/moons/etc positions?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/13488/where-can-i-find-visualize-planets-stars-moons-etc-positions]) I haven't voted as a dupe to that question, but I'm leaning in that direction...  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-02-18. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

## Python

I see that you are quite active in Stack Overflow but have no posts tagged with `python` yet, so maybe it's time to give it a try!

1. Run `pip install skyfield`
2. read the simple documentation: <https://rhodesmill.org/skyfield/>
3. calculate x, y, z positions in the solar system's coordinates with a single line of Python; e.g. `x, y, z = venus.at(time).position.km, or
4. use `Topos` to define a viewing location on Earth and the `.altaz()` method to get the position of each in the sky.

## NASA JPL Horizions

This is the same basic source of information that Skyfield uses.

1. Go to the Horizons website at: <https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi>
2. Follow the instructions I've written up in [this answer](https://space.stackexchange.com/a/25357/12102).
3. You can also read the documentation there to specify topographic coordinates and get positions in the sky, and you can do that *viewing from other planets and bodies as well!*

Have fun!

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Moved this answer [to here instead](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/a/29639/7982).  
> **username_2**: That was too hasty, now moved it back here again.  

---

