How to Download Swiss Ephemeris Asteroid Data Using a Python Script

How to Download Swiss Ephemeris Asteroid Data Using a Python Script

This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for using a Python script to download asteroid data from the Swiss Ephemeris, hosted on Dropbox. The script automates the download process, saving time and effort when dealing with large datasets that Dropbox does not allow to be downloaded all at once.

Prerequisites

  • Python: Ensure Python is installed on your system.
  • Basic Command Line Knowledge: Familiarity with using terminal commands.
  • Dropbox Access: Obtain the Dropbox directory URL and the associated rlkey required for downloading files.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Gather the Required Data
  • Dropbox Directory URL: Navigate to the Swiss Ephemeris GitHub page and locate the Dropbox link for the asteroid data. The link should look something like https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/y3naz62gy6f6qfrhquu7u/h/long_ast.
  • RL Key: This is a query parameter required by Dropbox to allow access to the files. It is usually part of the URL you obtain from Dropbox (e.g., rlkey=ejltdhb262zglm7eo6yfj2940).
2. Prepare the List of Asteroid Directories
  • Go to the Dropbox page for the Swiss Ephemeris asteroid data.
  • Copy the list of directories (each directory corresponds to a specific asteroid).
  • Paste these directory names into a spreadsheet or text file, ensuring that each directory name is on a separate line.
  • Save this list as a plain text file (e.g., input_file.txt). This file will be used by the script to know which directories to download.
3. Download the Python Script
  • Access the Python script provided for downloading the files. You can download it using the link provided in the video description or from a shared location.
  • Save the script to your working directory. The script might be compressed (e.g., in .gzip format). If so, decompress it using the following command:
    gunzip download_script.py.gz
4. Set Up Your Environment
  • Open a terminal or command prompt.
  • Navigate to the directory where you saved the Python script.
  • Ensure you are in a Python virtual environment if necessary.
5. Run the Script

  • The script requires four arguments:

    1. Input File: The text file containing the list of directories.
    2. Download Directory: The local directory where the files will be saved.
    3. Dropbox Directory URL: The base URL of the Dropbox directory (e.g., https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/y3naz62gy6f6qfrhquu7u/h/long_ast).
    4. RL Key: The Dropbox rlkey for access (e.g., ejltdhb262zglm7eo6yfj2940).

  • Example command:

    python download_script.py input_file.txt ./downloads https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/y3naz62gy6f6qfrhquu7u/h/long_ast ejltdhb262zglm7eo6yfj2940
  • If your rlkey or URL contains special characters, it is advisable to wrap them in quotes.
6. Monitor the Download Process
  • As the script runs, it will download each directory specified in your input file.
  • The script will create the download_dir if it does not already exist.
  • Each asteroid file will be saved with a .zip extension.
7. Verify the Downloads
  • Once the script completes, you can navigate to the download directory to ensure all files have been downloaded.
  • If you encounter any errors during the download, the script will display the corresponding HTTP status codes.
8. Integrate with Swiss Ephemeris
  • After all files are downloaded, move them to your Swiss Ephemeris data directory for use in your astrological calculations.

Troubleshooting

  • Double Slashes in URLs: The script is designed to handle trailing slashes in the Dropbox URL automatically, so you don't need to worry about double slashes.
  • Special Characters: If you have special characters in your rlkey, ensure they are correctly handled by placing the key in quotes.
  • Slow Downloads: The download speed depends on your internet connection. Large datasets might take a while to complete.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you should be able to automate the download of large asteroid datasets from Dropbox using the provided Python script, saving you significant time and ensuring you have all the necessary data for your astrological work with the Swiss Ephemeris.

If you have any questions or encounter issues, feel free to reach out to Ryan Hunt for assistance. Happy downloading!

Link to script: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dp0Dr_QXZUFqldgiPgwqk4QPNmvvXZco/view?usp=drive_link

Link to the Swiss Ephemeris: https://github.com/aloistr/swisseph?tab=readme-ov-file


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Listen to Some Mercurial Music with this Trismegistus Playlist

Image
This morning, as I was browsing through some Spotify recommendations, a new artist popped up that I hadn't seen before. The cover of the single that was presented to me was pretty captivating for some reason, and it led me down a rabbit hole exploring this artist's work. One track, in particular, caught my attention, called "Trismegistus." For those of you who have been studying astrology for a while, that name might ring a bell. "Trismegistus" refers to Hermes Trismegistus, the mythological progenitor of astrology, known as 'thrice great' and connected to both Egyptian and Greek mythology. While I won't dive too deep into the historical and mythological intricacies here, let's just say the track struck a chord with me on a deeper, almost cosmic level. Inspired by this discovery, I decided to curate an astrologically themed playlist that embodies the mystical qualities of the universe, wrapped in the enchanting cloak of music. The "Trism...
Read more

The Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction: Bridging Generations and Selves

Image
Today marks a significant moment in the astrological landscape—the conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus in the 22nd degree of Taurus. Recognized as one of the major astrological events of 2024, this alignment initiates a new 14-year cycle, sparking conversations and speculations across the globe about its potential impact on every zodiac sign. I wrote about this configuration several month ago. You can read about that in my post titled: Beyond Binaries: Jupiter, Uranus, and a Queer Dance in Taurus Jupiter, the planet of expansion, meets Uranus, the harbinger of change, in the steady sign of Taurus. This conjunction last occurred in the fiery sign of Aries and, before that, in Aquarius and Sagittarius. As we look forward to the next conjunction in Gemini, we anticipate a shift from earth to air—from the grounded, material focus of Taurus to the intellectual, communicative realm of Gemini. This transition encourages us to consider how we might move from places of comfort to realms of intell...
Read more

Understanding Astro-Cartography and Horary Astrology for Relocation Decisions

Image
Astro-cartography and horary astrology are specialized tools within the field of astrology, each providing distinct insights that can guide important life decisions, such as relocation. This post explores these practices at a high level and discusses how they can be combined to make informed choices about moving to a new location. You can learn more and book a reading on my website here. Astro-Cartography: Geographic Astrological Influences Astro-cartography is a method that maps the planetary influences from one's birth chart across the Earth's surface. It identifies locations where specific planetary energies are highlighted, potentially affecting various life areas like career, relationships, or personal growth. By examining these planetary lines, individuals can determine where they might experience enhanced success or challenges. Horary Astrology: Answering Specific Questions Horary astrology provides answers to specific questions by casting a chart at the moment the quest...
Read more