diff --git a/src/pulsatingscience.cpp b/src/pulsatingscience.cpp
index 7db5f46d20157acaf0340ad76cb70ef2b664d990..ebfc3b32892642d90d1cb8dd65d046dcd2a15c5c 100644
--- a/src/pulsatingscience.cpp
+++ b/src/pulsatingscience.cpp
@@ -73,33 +73,15 @@ PulsatingScience::PulsatingScience(QWidget *parent) : QMainWindow(parent)
     m_hiddenShortcut = new QShortcut(QKeySequence(Qt::SHIFT + Qt::ALT + Qt::Key_D), this);
 
     // establish object communications
-    connect(ui.pushRun, SIGNAL(clicked()),
-            ui.pulsarGlWidget, SLOT(runAnimation()));
-
     connect(ui.actionRun, SIGNAL(triggered()),
             ui.pulsarGlWidget, SLOT(runAnimation()));
 
-    connect(ui.actionRun, SIGNAL(triggered()),
-            this, SLOT(on_pushRun_clicked()));
-
-    connect(ui.pushPause, SIGNAL(clicked()),
-            ui.pulsarGlWidget, SLOT(pauseAnimation()));
-
     connect(ui.actionPause, SIGNAL(triggered()),
             ui.pulsarGlWidget, SLOT(pauseAnimation()));
 
-    connect(ui.actionPause, SIGNAL(triggered()),
-            this, SLOT(on_pushPause_clicked()));
-
-    connect(ui.pushStop, SIGNAL(clicked()),
-            ui.pulsarGlWidget, SLOT(stopAnimation()));
-
     connect(ui.actionStop, SIGNAL(triggered()),
             ui.pulsarGlWidget, SLOT(stopAnimation()));
 
-    connect(ui.actionStop, SIGNAL(triggered()),
-            this, SLOT(on_pushStop_clicked()));
-
     connect(ui.actionPermanent_orbits, SIGNAL(toggled(bool)),
             ui.pulsarGlWidget, SLOT(showOrbits(bool)));
 
@@ -220,51 +202,6 @@ void PulsatingScience::closeEvent(QCloseEvent *event)
     }
 }
 
-void PulsatingScience::on_pushRun_clicked()
-{
-    ui.pushRun->setEnabled(false);
-    ui.pushPause->setEnabled(true);
-    ui.pushStop->setEnabled(true);
-}
-
-void PulsatingScience::on_pushPause_clicked()
-{
-    ui.pushRun->setEnabled(true);
-    ui.pushPause->setEnabled(false);
-    ui.pushStop->setEnabled(true);
-}
-
-void PulsatingScience::on_pushStop_clicked()
-{
-    ui.pushRun->setEnabled(true);
-    ui.pushPause->setEnabled(false);
-    ui.pushStop->setEnabled(false);
-}
-
-void PulsatingScience::on_radioCompanionWD_toggled(bool checked)
-{
-    if(checked) {
-        ui.pulsarGlWidget->setCompanionMass(0.6);
-        ui.lcdCompanionMass->display(QString::number(0.6, 'f', 1));
-    }
-}
-
-void PulsatingScience::on_radioCompanionSun_toggled(bool checked)
-{
-    if(checked) {
-        ui.pulsarGlWidget->setCompanionMass(1.0);
-        ui.lcdCompanionMass->display(QString::number(1.0, 'f', 1));
-    }
-}
-
-void PulsatingScience::on_radioCompanionNS_toggled(bool checked)
-{
-    if(checked) {
-        ui.pulsarGlWidget->setCompanionMass(1.4);
-        ui.lcdCompanionMass->display(QString::number(1.4, 'f', 1));
-    }
-}
-
 void PulsatingScience::on_sliderPulsarMass_valueChanged(int value)
 {
     ui.pulsarGlWidget->setPulsarMass(value * 0.1);
@@ -588,9 +525,6 @@ void PulsatingScience::saveOrRestoreInitialAnimationSettings()
 {
     static bool initialized = false;
 
-    static bool radioCompanionWD;
-    static bool radioCompanionSun;
-    static bool radioCompanionNS;
     static int sliderPulsarMass;
     static int sliderPulsarSpinFrequency;
     static int sliderPulsarSpinAxisInclination;
@@ -603,9 +537,6 @@ void PulsatingScience::saveOrRestoreInitialAnimationSettings()
 
     if(initialized) {
         // restore intial settings
-        ui.radioCompanionWD->setChecked(radioCompanionWD);
-        ui.radioCompanionSun->setChecked(radioCompanionSun);
-        ui.radioCompanionNS->setChecked(radioCompanionNS);
         ui.sliderPulsarMass->setValue(sliderPulsarMass);
         ui.sliderPulsarSpinFrequency->setValue(sliderPulsarSpinFrequency);
         ui.sliderPulsarSpinAxisInclination->setValue(sliderPulsarSpinAxisInclination);
@@ -615,9 +546,6 @@ void PulsatingScience::saveOrRestoreInitialAnimationSettings()
     }
     else {
         // save initial settings
-        radioCompanionWD = ui.radioCompanionWD->isChecked();
-        radioCompanionSun = ui.radioCompanionSun->isChecked();
-        radioCompanionNS = ui.radioCompanionNS->isChecked();
         sliderPulsarMass = ui.sliderPulsarMass->value();
         sliderPulsarSpinFrequency = ui.sliderPulsarSpinFrequency->value();
         sliderPulsarSpinAxisInclination = ui.sliderPulsarSpinAxisInclination->value();
diff --git a/src/pulsatingscience.h b/src/pulsatingscience.h
index c7a8fbf940071498500f4566781269591e4fe099..a4b933f7e1eb134415836c3ec61147edb97f7b49 100644
--- a/src/pulsatingscience.h
+++ b/src/pulsatingscience.h
@@ -43,13 +43,6 @@ public:
     void closeEvent(QCloseEvent *event);
 
 public slots:
-    void on_pushRun_clicked();
-    void on_pushPause_clicked();
-    void on_pushStop_clicked();
-
-    void on_radioCompanionWD_toggled(bool checked);
-    void on_radioCompanionSun_toggled(bool checked);
-    void on_radioCompanionNS_toggled(bool checked);
     void on_sliderPulsarMass_valueChanged(int value);
     void on_sliderPulsarSpinFrequency_valueChanged(int value);
     void on_sliderPulsarSpinAxisInclination_valueChanged(int value);
diff --git a/src/pulsatingscience.ui b/src/pulsatingscience.ui
index b5fafcc4e9c58597669918aa5783741d3e17d8ac..24720689b88896dfd13de41e0558b1f62c5f4321 100644
--- a/src/pulsatingscience.ui
+++ b/src/pulsatingscience.ui
@@ -64,23 +64,98 @@
     <set>QDockWidget::AllDockWidgetFeatures</set>
    </property>
    <property name="windowTitle">
-    <string>Animation Control</string>
+    <string>Parameters</string>
    </property>
    <attribute name="dockWidgetArea">
     <number>8</number>
    </attribute>
    <widget class="QWidget" name="dockWidgetContents">
     <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_3">
-     <item row="1" column="2">
+     <item row="1" column="0">
       <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_2">
-       <item row="2" column="0">
+       <item row="3" column="1">
+        <widget class="QSlider" name="sliderPulsarMagneticAxisInclination">
+         <property name="statusTip">
+          <string>Use this slider to adjust the inclination of the magnetic pole axis with respect to the spin axis</string>
+         </property>
+         <property name="maximum">
+          <number>180</number>
+         </property>
+         <property name="value">
+          <number>60</number>
+         </property>
+         <property name="orientation">
+          <enum>Qt::Horizontal</enum>
+         </property>
+         <property name="tickPosition">
+          <enum>QSlider::TicksBelow</enum>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+       <item row="0" column="3">
+        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_13">
+         <property name="text">
+          <string>deg</string>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+       <item row="0" column="0">
+        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_12">
+         <property name="text">
+          <string>LHO</string>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+       <item row="0" column="1">
+        <widget class="QSlider" name="sliderPulsarMass">
+         <property name="statusTip">
+          <string>Use this slider to adjust the pulsar mass</string>
+         </property>
+         <property name="minimum">
+          <number>14</number>
+         </property>
+         <property name="maximum">
+          <number>30</number>
+         </property>
+         <property name="pageStep">
+          <number>2</number>
+         </property>
+         <property name="orientation">
+          <enum>Qt::Horizontal</enum>
+         </property>
+         <property name="tickPosition">
+          <enum>QSlider::TicksBelow</enum>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+       <item row="0" column="2">
+        <widget class="QLCDNumber" name="lcdPulsarMass">
+         <property name="numDigits">
+          <number>6</number>
+         </property>
+         <property name="segmentStyle">
+          <enum>QLCDNumber::Flat</enum>
+         </property>
+         <property name="value" stdset="0">
+          <double>1.400000000000000</double>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+       <item row="5" column="3">
+        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_9">
+         <property name="text">
+          <string>deg</string>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+       <item row="1" column="0">
         <widget class="QLabel" name="label">
          <property name="text">
-          <string>Pulsar Spin Frequency:</string>
+          <string>LLO</string>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
-       <item row="2" column="1">
+       <item row="1" column="1">
         <widget class="QSlider" name="sliderPulsarSpinFrequency">
          <property name="statusTip">
           <string>Use this slider to adjust the spin frequency</string>
@@ -114,7 +189,7 @@
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
-       <item row="2" column="2">
+       <item row="1" column="2">
         <widget class="QLCDNumber" name="lcdPulsarSpinFrequency">
          <property name="numDigits">
           <number>6</number>
@@ -130,7 +205,7 @@
        <item row="5" column="0">
         <widget class="QLabel" name="label_3">
          <property name="text">
-          <string>Pulsar Orbit Semi Major Axis:</string>
+          <string>Source: inclination</string>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
@@ -173,163 +248,28 @@
         </widget>
        </item>
        <item row="3" column="0">
-        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_5">
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>Pulsar Spin Axis Inclination:</string>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item row="4" column="0">
         <widget class="QLabel" name="label_4">
          <property name="text">
-          <string>Pulsar Magn. Axis Inclination:</string>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item row="3" column="1">
-        <widget class="QSlider" name="sliderPulsarSpinAxisInclination">
-         <property name="statusTip">
-          <string>Use this slider to adjust the inclination of the spin axis with respect to the orbit axis</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="maximum">
-          <number>180</number>
-         </property>
-         <property name="value">
-          <number>0</number>
-         </property>
-         <property name="orientation">
-          <enum>Qt::Horizontal</enum>
-         </property>
-         <property name="tickPosition">
-          <enum>QSlider::TicksBelow</enum>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item row="3" column="2">
-        <widget class="QLCDNumber" name="lcdPulsarSpinAxisInclination">
-         <property name="numDigits">
-          <number>6</number>
-         </property>
-         <property name="segmentStyle">
-          <enum>QLCDNumber::Flat</enum>
-         </property>
-         <property name="intValue" stdset="0">
-          <number>0</number>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item row="4" column="1">
-        <widget class="QSlider" name="sliderPulsarMagneticAxisInclination">
-         <property name="statusTip">
-          <string>Use this slider to adjust the inclination of the magnetic pole axis with respect to the spin axis</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="maximum">
-          <number>180</number>
-         </property>
-         <property name="value">
-          <number>60</number>
-         </property>
-         <property name="orientation">
-          <enum>Qt::Horizontal</enum>
-         </property>
-         <property name="tickPosition">
-          <enum>QSlider::TicksBelow</enum>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item row="4" column="2">
-        <widget class="QLCDNumber" name="lcdPulsarMagneticAxisInclination">
-         <property name="numDigits">
-          <number>6</number>
-         </property>
-         <property name="segmentStyle">
-          <enum>QLCDNumber::Flat</enum>
-         </property>
-         <property name="value" stdset="0">
-          <double>60.000000000000000</double>
-         </property>
-         <property name="intValue" stdset="0">
-          <number>60</number>
+          <string>Virgo</string>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
        <item row="3" column="3">
-        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_6">
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>deg</string>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item row="4" column="3">
         <widget class="QLabel" name="label_7">
          <property name="text">
           <string>deg</string>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
-       <item row="2" column="3">
+       <item row="1" column="3">
         <widget class="QLabel" name="label_8">
          <property name="text">
-          <string>Hz</string>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item row="5" column="3">
-        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_9">
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>AU</string>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item row="0" column="0">
-        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_10">
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>Companion Class:</string>
+          <string>deg</string>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
-       <item row="0" column="1">
-        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout">
-         <item>
-          <widget class="QRadioButton" name="radioCompanionWD">
-           <property name="statusTip">
-            <string>Set companion class to &quot;White Dwarf&quot; (0.6 solar masses)</string>
-           </property>
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>White Dwarf</string>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item>
-          <widget class="QRadioButton" name="radioCompanionSun">
-           <property name="statusTip">
-            <string>Set companion class to &quot;Sun&quot; (1.0 solar masses)</string>
-           </property>
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Sun</string>
-           </property>
-           <property name="checked">
-            <bool>false</bool>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-         <item>
-          <widget class="QRadioButton" name="radioCompanionNS">
-           <property name="statusTip">
-            <string>Set companion class to &quot;Neutron Star&quot; (1.4 solar masses)</string>
-           </property>
-           <property name="text">
-            <string>Neutron Star</string>
-           </property>
-           <property name="checked">
-            <bool>true</bool>
-           </property>
-          </widget>
-         </item>
-        </layout>
-       </item>
-       <item row="0" column="2">
-        <widget class="QLCDNumber" name="lcdCompanionMass">
+       <item row="3" column="2">
+        <widget class="QLCDNumber" name="lcdPulsarMagneticAxisInclination">
          <property name="numDigits">
           <number>6</number>
          </property>
@@ -337,37 +277,30 @@
           <enum>QLCDNumber::Flat</enum>
          </property>
          <property name="value" stdset="0">
-          <double>1.400000000000000</double>
+          <double>60.000000000000000</double>
          </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item row="0" column="3">
-        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_11">
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>M&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt;</string>
+         <property name="intValue" stdset="0">
+          <number>60</number>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
-       <item row="1" column="0">
-        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_12">
+       <item row="4" column="0">
+        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_5">
          <property name="text">
-          <string>Pulsar Mass:</string>
+          <string>Source: iota</string>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
-       <item row="1" column="1">
-        <widget class="QSlider" name="sliderPulsarMass">
+       <item row="4" column="1">
+        <widget class="QSlider" name="sliderPulsarSpinAxisInclination">
          <property name="statusTip">
-          <string>Use this slider to adjust the pulsar mass</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="minimum">
-          <number>14</number>
+          <string>Use this slider to adjust the inclination of the spin axis with respect to the orbit axis</string>
          </property>
          <property name="maximum">
-          <number>30</number>
+          <number>180</number>
          </property>
-         <property name="pageStep">
-          <number>2</number>
+         <property name="value">
+          <number>0</number>
          </property>
          <property name="orientation">
           <enum>Qt::Horizontal</enum>
@@ -377,128 +310,28 @@
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
-       <item row="1" column="2">
-        <widget class="QLCDNumber" name="lcdPulsarMass">
+       <item row="4" column="2">
+        <widget class="QLCDNumber" name="lcdPulsarSpinAxisInclination">
          <property name="numDigits">
           <number>6</number>
          </property>
          <property name="segmentStyle">
           <enum>QLCDNumber::Flat</enum>
          </property>
-         <property name="value" stdset="0">
-          <double>1.400000000000000</double>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item row="1" column="3">
-        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_13">
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>M&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt;</string>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-      </layout>
-     </item>
-     <item row="1" column="0">
-      <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout">
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushRun">
-         <property name="statusTip">
-          <string>Start the animation</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>Start</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="icon">
-          <iconset resource="pulsatingscience.qrc">
-           <normaloff>:/icons/resources/control-run.png</normaloff>:/icons/resources/control-run.png</iconset>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushPause">
-         <property name="enabled">
-          <bool>false</bool>
-         </property>
-         <property name="statusTip">
-          <string>Pause the animation</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>Pause</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="icon">
-          <iconset resource="pulsatingscience.qrc">
-           <normaloff>:/icons/resources/control-pause.png</normaloff>:/icons/resources/control-pause.png</iconset>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushStop">
-         <property name="enabled">
-          <bool>false</bool>
-         </property>
-         <property name="statusTip">
-          <string>Stop and reset the animation</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>Stop</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="icon">
-          <iconset resource="pulsatingscience.qrc">
-           <normaloff>:/icons/resources/control-stop.png</normaloff>:/icons/resources/control-stop.png</iconset>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <spacer name="verticalSpacer">
-         <property name="orientation">
-          <enum>Qt::Vertical</enum>
-         </property>
-         <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-          <size>
-           <width>20</width>
-           <height>40</height>
-          </size>
-         </property>
-        </spacer>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushHelp">
-         <property name="statusTip">
-          <string>Display online help</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>Help</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="icon">
-          <iconset resource="pulsatingscience.qrc">
-           <normaloff>:/icons/resources/help-help.png</normaloff>:/icons/resources/help-help.png</iconset>
+         <property name="intValue" stdset="0">
+          <number>0</number>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QPushButton" name="pushAbout">
-         <property name="statusTip">
-          <string>About &quot;Pulsating Science&quot;</string>
-         </property>
+       <item row="4" column="3">
+        <widget class="QLabel" name="label_6">
          <property name="text">
-          <string>About</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="icon">
-          <iconset resource="pulsatingscience.qrc">
-           <normaloff>:/icons/resources/help-about.png</normaloff>:/icons/resources/help-about.png</iconset>
+          <string>deg</string>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
       </layout>
      </item>
-     <item row="1" column="1">
-      <widget class="Line" name="line">
-       <property name="orientation">
-        <enum>Qt::Vertical</enum>
-       </property>
-      </widget>
-     </item>
     </layout>
    </widget>
   </widget>
@@ -785,37 +618,5 @@
     </hint>
    </hints>
   </connection>
-  <connection>
-   <sender>pushAbout</sender>
-   <signal>clicked()</signal>
-   <receiver>actionAbout</receiver>
-   <slot>trigger()</slot>
-   <hints>
-    <hint type="sourcelabel">
-     <x>47</x>
-     <y>551</y>
-    </hint>
-    <hint type="destinationlabel">
-     <x>-1</x>
-     <y>-1</y>
-    </hint>
-   </hints>
-  </connection>
-  <connection>
-   <sender>pushHelp</sender>
-   <signal>clicked()</signal>
-   <receiver>actionHelp</receiver>
-   <slot>trigger()</slot>
-   <hints>
-    <hint type="sourcelabel">
-     <x>47</x>
-     <y>513</y>
-    </hint>
-    <hint type="destinationlabel">
-     <x>-1</x>
-     <y>-1</y>
-    </hint>
-   </hints>
-  </connection>
  </connections>
 </ui>