II.6. Two- and three-dimension distributions

To construct two-dimension distribution of minor planets user should specify elements/ parameters/ function that will be plotted as abscissas and ordinates. In three-dimension case one should add to them the element plotted on Z axis. It should be done with help of Distribution: select elements list box. Enter wanted elements into corresponding data fields by scrolling the list and marking elements by slider. Subsequently, click on Next.

Though you may choose elements plotted along different axes at will, often there is good reason to plot such elements as a, n, or n" along X axis (two-dimension distributions) and to plot them along Y axis in three-dimension case.

For the ordered elements/ parameters/ function the application computes minimum and maximum values within the selection specified earlier when entering the table of elements. These values are represented in the corresponding fields of the Distribution: set Min/Max dialog box. The designations of the ordered elements/ parameters/ function are shown to the right of symbols X, Y, Z.

User can adopt all computed values (click on OK immediately) or change them at will. If you like to construct the dotty distribution of minor planets in three-dimension space, do not click on the check box at the top right; in other case you will obtain projections of the distribution on the coordinate planes.

By changing adopted minimum and maximum values one can obtain a pictorial rendition of the distribution.

Subsequent to adoption of minimum and maximum values of elements, a two- or three-dimension plot of distribution is displayed. At the top of window the designations of the elements drawn along different axes are shown, then limitative values of the elements as user specified them and their mean values are given. Moreover these values are also indicated in the plot.

User has possibility to save distribution or to print it using standard means (see II.5.Histogram).