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Ephemeris Tool
Program for calculating astronomical
Ephemeris for Windows

Manual
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1 Installation 10

System Requirements 10

Die Installation von Ephemeris Tool 10

2 Getting Started with Ephemeris Tool 11

Step 1: Create and edit the first ephemeris 11

Step 2: Change the period for an ephemeris table 12

Step 3: Change the location 13

Step 4: Change the composition of the ephemeris table 13

Step 5: Save settings 14

Step 6: Save and load a spreadsheet 15

Step 7: Planetoids and Comets 15

Step 8: Numerical integration of asteroid orbits 17

Step 9: Other Options 17

Step 10: Conjunctions and Events 18

3 Menu reference 20

File Menu Commands File| 20

New (Ctrl+N) Open 20

(Ctrl+O) 20

Save (Ctrl+S) 20

Save as Save as 20

text file Save as csv file File 20

tools Show file in... 20

21

27

Start ... 27

set up page 28

print area 28

Print (Ctrl+P) 29

Quit (Alt+F4) 29

Edit Menu Commands 29

Cut (Ctrl+X) 29

Copy (Ctrl+C) 29

Paste (Ctrl+V) 29

to delete contents 29

Find... (Ctrl+F) 30

Replace... (Ctrl+E) 30

Go to... (Ctrl+G) 30

Sort by... 30

Delete cells... 31

Delete table 31

Rename table... 32

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move table... 32

Undo table action (Ctrl+Z) 32

View Menu Commands 32

Spreadsheet (Ctrl+F1) 32

edit line 33

status bar 33

toolbar 33

Wrap toolbar 34

Clocks (F10) 34

Table toolbar 34

Show quick help 34

Show tips of the day 34

show warnings 34

English version (Alt+F6) 35

Insert menu commands 35

cells 35

Table (Shift+Alt+F1) 35

names... 35

change of sides 35

Cancel page change 35

Format menu commands 36

Layout 36

Colors 36

cells 36

Line 39

Split 39

decimal places 40

show formulas 40

Activate cell protection 40

Paste/Unpin 40

Commands in the "Time/Location" menu 40

Enter date and place...(Ctrl+D) 40

Julian Date (Ctrl+J) 42

Take JD from table 42

system date 43

fraction of day 43

Enter UT 44

summer time/winter time 44

Period for Table... (Ctrl+F8) 44

Period for table... (JD) 46

Time period from configuration 46

of ephemeris times from table... (F9) 46

choose place... 47

Worldwide Database... 49

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Settings menu commands 51

New configuration 51

Open configuration (Shift+Alt+F1) 51

Save configuration (Alt+F1) 52

Save configuration as... 52

Configure tables (F8) 52

Column Headers (Shift+F8) 55

Data Formats (Alt+F8) 57

Options (Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F8) 58

Table options Configure 61

clock bar (Ctrl+F10) 61

Computational accuracy for the VSOP theories... 62

VSOP/ELP/Newcomb theories, ELP2000 lunar theory 62

Read positions from file 63

Use database for integration Set external program 63

Set default directory... 63

63

Asteroid Databases Folder... 64

Folder with world database... 64

Objects menu commands 64

The planets... 64

comets... 66

Aus MEPC-Circular laden... 69

planetoid database 69

Satellites (Shift+Ctrl+S) 70

Mutable... 71

Custom Catalog... 72

Ephemeris Menu Commands 73

Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto 73

Mond|Ephemeride 74

moon|star occultations 74

Moon|Planetary Occurrences 75

moon|moon phases 75

Planetoid 75

Comet 75

Planetoids from database 76

Variable Star 76

User Catalog (Ctrl+ F4) 77

daily overview 77

Jupitermonde 78

Saturnmonde 79

central meridian passage 79

Planetary occultations of stars 80

passages 81

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window 82

satellites 83

seasons 83

VSOP-Tools 84

Integration Menu Commands 84

Planetoid orbit, comet orbit 84

Below the Planets, below the Comet 85

Data for orbit file 85

Calculation method (Alt+F11) 86

Initial Conditions (Ctrl+F11) 87

Format Output (Shift+F11) 88

Output status vector 90

Read status vector from table (Ctrl+Shift+F11) 90

Integrate (F11) 90

Open file... 90

Save file as... 90

conjunctions and events 91

Tools menu commands 104

Sun, Mercury... Pluto, Moon 104

planetoid or comet 105

Earth satellites... (F7) 105

macros 106

Position determination on planets 107

Orbit determination 108

Transformations... (F9) 114

Two-body problem 115

Gaus-Krüger<->geogr. 116

Moving Holidays 117

Commands in the "?" 117

menu Content (F1) 117

Seek... 117

Tip of the Tagus... 117

use help 118
Manual 118

Legend 118

Homepage 118
Info... 118
4 The spreadsheet 119
Working with spreadsheets 119

Enter values in cells 119

Edit values in cells 120
Autofill cells 120
Marking data 120

Moving, inserting and deleting cells 121

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Resize columns and rows 121

formatting data 121

Use functions and operators in formulas 122

Spreadsheet functions 122

Reference of spreadsheet functions 123

database functions 123

Date and time functions 123

Mathematical Finance Functions 123

String manipulation functions 124

Information 124

Logic 125

Mathematical Functions 125

Statistics 126

Alphabetical list of functions 126

Address 129

AND 129

ATAN2 130

AVERAGE 130

CEILING 130

CHAR 131

CHOOSE 131

CLEAN 131

CODE 132

COLUMN 132

COLUMNS 132

CONCATENATE 132

FV 133

COUNT 133

COUNTA 134

COUNTIF 134

DATE 134

DATEVALUE 135

DAY 135

DB 135

DDB 135

ERROR.TYPE 136

EVEN and ODD 136

EXACT 137

FIND 137

FLOOR 137

HLOOKUP 138

HOUR 138

IF 138

INDEX 139

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INDIRECT 139

INT 139

IPMT 140

IRR 140

LEFT 141

JUST 141

LOG 141

LOOKUP 142

MATCH 142

MAX 143

MID 143

MIN 143

MINUTE 143

MIRR 143

MONTH 144

N 144

NPER 145

NPV 145

OFFSET 146

PMT 146

PPMT 147

PROPER 147

PV 147

RATE 148

REPLACE 149

REPT 149

RIGHT 149

ROUND, ROUNDDOWN und ROUNDUP 149

ROW 150

ROWS 150

SEARCH 150

SECOND 151

SLN 151

STDEV 151

STDEVP 151

SUBSTITUTE 152

SUMIF 152

SOUTH 152

TEXT 153

TIME 153

TIMEVALUE 153

TRUNK 154

TYPE 154

VALUE 154

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VDB 155
VLOOKUP 156
WEEKDAY 156
YEAR 156
5 Technical Reference 157
Optional components 157

File Formats in Ephemeris Tool 157

File formats for data files 158

Format of files with geographic coordinates 158

Format of files with orbital elements for planetoids 159
Format of comet orbit element files 160
Format of files with variable stars 161

Format of files with orbit elements for earth satellites 161

Format of files with seed values for numerical integrations 162

Format of surface feature files 163

Format of files with observations for orbit determinations Format of files with 164

table configurations (*.etd) 164

Format of files with formatting for ephemeris sizes (*.epf) 164

Format of files with status vectors 164

Files for orbital elements in binary (machine-readable) format 165

The file format of custom catalogs 165

configuration files 166

International settings 166

Foreign formats (import and export of track elements) 166

Of the planets 167
comets 167

coordinate systems 168

input format 168

Scope and accuracy of the calculation results 168

Calculation method for the multi-body problem 170

Ephemeris of the sun, moon and planets 170

Numerically integrated ephemeris for planetoids or comets 171

Use of predicted databases for planetoids 171

Numerical integration for systems with 2 to 14 bodies 171

6 FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions 172

Problems after the update? 172

When I start the program, I get the error message "License information for TVCFormula One is invalid" How can I
ensure that 172

Ephemeris Tool always contains the coordinates of my place of residence

started? 172

Why is Ephemeris Tool sorting my date columns incorrectly? 173

What does the Databases with Predicted Positions dialog box do? 173
How can I get the orbital elements of current comets? 173

7 tips and tricks 174

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Calculate helical rises and sets 174

Find a Mercury visibility 174

Which Planetoids Go To Opposition This Month? 175

When are the next near-Earth Mars oppositions? 176

When does a bright planetoid make close encounters with stars? 176

Derive a first comet orbit from several observations 177

8 things worth knowing about program operation 179

The use of the mouse 179
keyboard shortcuts 179
Spreadsheet keyboard shortcuts 179

Keyboard shortcuts for common tasks 180

Keyboard shortcut for ephemeris calculation 180

Proceedings 181

Specify headers and footers for printing 181

Create databases with oscillating orbital elements of planetoids 182

Maintain databases with oscillating orbital elements of planetoids 182

Create databases with precomputed ephemeris 183

Create tables for irregularly spaced points in time 183

Use user catalogs 184

9 literature 185
10 Register 186

Copyright

Ephemeris Tool and this manual are copyrighted. © 2000 by Astronomy Software Dings. All rights reserved. The information
in this product is published without regard to any patent protection. Brand names are used without guarantee of free usability.
The greatest care was taken in compiling the texts and illustrations. Nevertheless, mistakes can not be fully eliminated.
Astronomy software Dings and its authors cannot accept any legal responsibility or liability for incorrect information and its
consequences.

Almost all hardware and software names used in this manual or the software are also registered trademarks or should be
treated as such.

Text and layout: Manfred Dings

Editor: Anne Dings

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1 Installation

System Requirements
For Ephemeris Tool you need a Pentium computer (from P 133) with 32-bit Windows (9x or 2000). A modern, fast
graphics card and a screen resolution of at least 800x600 and high color (16 bit) are recommended. At least 32
MB main memory (64 MB under Windows 2000) is recommended.

Ephemeris Tool may take up a lot of space on your hard drive. If you chose Custom instead of Default in the
installer, you can select or deselect each of the items that come with the Ephemeris Tool:

Program Files: 4MB

Windows-Systemordner: 11 MB
Additional data files: 8 MB
Asteroid Databases: 24.4 MB. You can also tailor these files yourself using Ephemeris Tool.
Precomputed heliocentric planetary ephemeris databases: 58 MB. Accelerate these files –
with almost full accuracy according to the VSOP87 theory - the calculation of the planetary and earth positions,
especially with numerical integration.

Die Installation von Ephemeris Tool

Insert the CD-ROM into the CD drive. Depending on the version, it is possible that only one interface will start,
allowing you to choose between different programs to be installed on the CD. If you click on "Ephemeris Tool", the
actual setup program starts, which has the usual Windows appearance. Step by step you will be prompted to
specify a folder on the hard disk where Ephemeris Tool should be installed. You will also be asked if you prefer
the Typical installation (installs everything), the Minimal installation , or a Custom installation . The latter allows to
omit some components (described above) if you don't need them.

If the mechanism described above does not start automatically after inserting the CD, call up the "install.exe"
program in the main directory of the CD manually. Alternatively, you can also start the "setup.exe" file in the "ephtl"
folder on the CD manually, e.g. B. by double-clicking in Windows Explorer.

After the installation, which can take some time, you will find a new program group "Ephemeris Tool 4" in your start
menu.

If you want to uninstall Ephemeris Tool again, you can do this in the usual way using the Windows Control Panel
(Start|Settings|Control Panel|Software). However, you will probably still have to manually remove files that
Ephemeris Tool creates during program operation even after the automatic uninstallation.

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2Getting started with Ephemeris Tool

Ephemeris Tool - that's actually two programs in one: a comprehensive program for ephemeris calculation,
which is packed into a small, but full-fledged spreadsheet. The following guide is designed to help you learn
the basics of using Ephemeris Tool step by step. At the same time, you will gain an overview of the diverse
possibilities of Ephemeris Tool.

This manual assumes that you already have some basic knowledge of spreadsheets in general. In this respect,
the operation of Ephemeris Tool is similar to the common standard programs.
If you are familiar with Excel, Ephemeris Tool will not be difficult for you either. Unfortunately, Ephemeris Tool
is not quite as convenient as the Microsoft program.

Step 1: Create and edit the first ephemeris

After starting the program, you will see an empty table in the Ephemeris Tool program window.
The status bar at the bottom of the window gives you information about the currently set date - it is that of your
computer clock - and the geographic location for which calculations are being made. At the bottom right you
can see information about the currently used calculation methods.

Below the menu bar you will find the toolbar. If your screen is big enough, you can line up the icons. To do this,
click with the secondary (usually right) mouse button on the status bar and select "Wrap".

You will probably rarely type directly into the spreadsheet interface. You usually leave this to the program itself,
because Ephemeris Tool uses the spreadsheet for its output. Try it out now.

Point your mouse to the icon with the large, yellow circle in the toolbar. It is supposed to symbolize
the sun. If the mouse pointer stays on the symbol, a short help text appears: "Ephemeris for sun".
Now click on the symbol with the mouse. Ephemeris Tool now calculates an ephemeris of the sun
in no time at all and outputs the calculation results on the spreadsheet.

Prefer an ephemeris of the moon? There is an icon for this too, or you can use the menu command Ephemeris|
Moon|Ephemeris. For the moon Ephemeris Tool needs a little longer - above all: the old table is then gone and
is replaced by the moon ephemeris! This is a basic principle of Ephemeris Tool: every table command
overwrites the current sheet. If you accidentally did this, you can undo some menu commands with Edit|Undo
Table Action. It's faster with Ctrl+Z.

Do you want to have a table of the Moon and Mercury in one file at the same time? Click on the "Sheet 2" tab
with the mouse. This spreadsheet is still empty. You can fill it with Ephemeris|Mercury.

If you don't like the names "Sheet 1", "Sheet 2": you can remedy this with Edit|Rename Table.

Perhaps you would like to display the dates of the Moon and Mercury one below the other? Simply highlight
the "Mercury" table (click on the gray box above the row numbers and to the left of the column letters). Use
Ctrl+C to copy the table to the clipboard. Then click again on the tab with the moon table and there on a cell
from which the Mercury data should appear. Use Ctrl+V to paste the data.

You could just as easily have pasted the Merkur data into any other Windows application, including your
favorite spreadsheet.

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Of course you can also mark areas with the mouse. Click with the primary (usually left) mouse button and draw a
marker. You can then delete the marked area (DEL key) or e.g. B. Move: point the mouse pointer at the edge,
click, drag and release on the target. All of this works in a similar way to e.g. E.g. in Excel.

Step 2: Change the period for an ephemeris table

Of course, Ephemeris Tool can be used to flexibly determine the period for which an ephemeris should be
calculated and the distance between the table values. To do this, go to Table Time and Place|Period (Ctrl+F8).

A dialog now appears in which you should first change the start date. This happens in the upper part of the dialog.
Below (“Increment between two table values”) you change the distance for the ephemeris values. For the moon
z. For example, an ephemeris a day apart, a two-day ephemeris for a comet, perhaps a ten-day interval for Pluto.
You can also specify much finer values such as hours, minutes or even seconds.

Finally, you can set the end date of the ephemeris in two different ways:

a) Enter the date as an absolute value directly, just as you did for the start date. Changing the start date does
not change the end date. The table would then either become larger or smaller.

b) Enter the date as a relative value, as a distance in days, possibly also hours, minutes and seconds after
the start date. In this case, the end date shifts automatically when you change the start date.

In the Solar Eclipses section, you don't need to change anything at the moment.

If you have changed everything according to your wishes, confirm the dialog with OK. Now call up a new table. It
will have changed according to your wishes.

Ephemeris Tool can create extensive tables. Up to 16000 entries

per spreadsheet are possible. With such extensive calculations,
you can also stop the calculation. A progress bar at the bottom of the status bar
shows you how far the calculation has progressed.

Below the toolbar, Ephemeris Tool shows a "Cancel" button during calculation and informs you which object is
currently being calculated.

Most calculations are done in two steps: first the ephemeris data itself is calculated, then the output is formatted. If
you interrupt the first step, the process will stop as a whole, leaving a blank spreadsheet. If you first interrupt the
formatting of the output, the already formatted table entries are still displayed.

For some purposes it may be more convenient for you to specify an ephemeris according to the Julian date. Then
use the Table Time/Location|Period (JD) command.

You can also change the start date with other commands in the Time/Location menu. The start date is especially
important for those commands that do not create a table of events, e.g. B. the commands in the menu
„Tools“.

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You can also switch to daylight saving time, adjust the time zone and adjust the procedure for handling
ephemeris time to suit your needs. The commands in the Time/Location menu provide convenient input
dialogs for this.

Step 3: Change the location

It is now time to enter your exact observation location. Ephemeris Tool needs it for the calculation of rise
and set times, for topocentric coordinates, and especially for occultations
and eclipses. To do this, go to Time/Location|Choose location. Perhaps your hometown is already in the
Ephemeris Tool database? If you live in Germany, you can first try entering the postal code under "Search
for postal code". Your home location should now appear under “Places”. If not: enter the name of your
place of residence in the "Search for..." input field. Finally, you can also manually browse the Places drop-
down list.

If the search in the database was unsuccessful, you can occasionally open the database with an editor
and enter your observation location there. But first you will probably have to enter your geographic position
manually.

To do this, use the input fields under "Coordinates used". For "Location", enter a description of your home
location. Enter the geographical latitude either as ° '' '' (e.g. 51°02'01'', 51°0201 also works) or in decimal
format (51.0336). For locations in the northern hemisphere, please enter positive values.

Do the same with the longitude. It is expected to be negative for locations east of Greenwich. In contrast,
the time zone for eastern zones is positive. Enter 1 for CET.

You do not have to make any further entries for the time being. The "Daylight saving time" option further down in the dialog may be of
interest.

Close the dialog with OK. From now on you will receive ephemeris that are individually tailored to your
observation location in a way that no printed yearbook can offer.

Step 4: Change the composition of the ephemeris table

Ephemeris Tool offers a wealth of ephemeris sizes, most of which you won't need all at once. Of course,
you can specify the composition of the ephemeris tables down to the last detail. To do this, go to Settings|
Configure Tables (F8).

A dialog appears in which you can see a small preview of the currently used sizes below. There are four
tabs above it. There you can make the settings. Click the Groups & Presets tab, then click Planets 2000.
This configures a fixed set of ephemeris for the standard epoch J2000. In the lower part of the dialog you
can see the column headings for the new composition. Maybe you don't even want the physical ephemeris?
Under "Display Groups" and then "Physical Ephemeris", click the "Off" button. The table is now clearer.

Perhaps you are still missing something. Need the topocentric coordinates for the current equinox? To do
this, switch to the first tab “Ephemeris Sizes”. Click on "RA" and "DK" under "topo centric". "RD", the
topocentric distance, leave open.

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Now close the dialog with "OK" and call up an ephemeris, let's say Venus. Is everything to your liking? Otherwise you can change
the settings in the “Configure display of ephemeris tables” dialog at any time and then calculate a new table.

You may not like the data format of heliocentric coordinates. Are you used to seeing these coordinates as degrees with two
decimal places? You can influence this with Settings|Data Formats (Alt+F8). In the "Set Formats and Decimal Places" dialog you
see a list with all ephemeris sizes in Ephemeris Tool on the left. On the right you can make the settings for the size that is
currently selected in the list.

You might want to filter the list first. Click on "Filter" and then "Polar coordinates". Now you see the sizes "l" and "b" at the top of
the list on the left. Behind this are the heliocentric coordinates. Highlight l, then click Decimal Format under Data Format on the
right. The example display changes immediately. Now reduce the decimal places to two. The format you want

would be realized with it. Repeat this for "b", the heliocentric latitude.

If you still don't like the column headings, change them to your liking with Settings|Column Headings (Shift+F8). Enter "hel" in the
"Search for" input field. The "Heliocentric Ecliptic Longitude" entry in the "Size" drop-down list is highlighted. Below you can now
edit the caption of this table size. Enter e.g. e.g. "Hey. LG” The sample view below appears immediately

one.

Close the dialog with "OK" and let the Ephemeris Tool recalculate the Venus ephemeris from before. Voila:

Step 5: Save settings

After you have adjusted the start and end dates, your geographical position, the compilation and format of the ephemeris and
much more, you want to save these settings and have them available every time you start the program.

The Settings|Save Configuration command saves the current settings to an Ephemeris Tool configuration file (*.ocf). A typical
Windows dialog appears for assigning a file
human.

If you save your settings under the file name "ephtl4.ocf" in the Ephemeris Tool program folder, this file will be read in every time
the program starts. You will then immediately find your preferred settings – with one exception: the date on your computer clock
is used when the program starts.

If you read in a configuration file with Settings|Open Configuration..., all the settings saved there, including the column headings
and formatting, will be restored.

Try it!

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Step 6: Save and load a spreadsheet

You can now save the current workbook using the commands in the File menu. Ctrl+S is the quickest way
to get to the "Save" dialog, which works in the usual Windows way. You can choose between the Excel 5
(standard) and Excel 4 file formats.

Each workbook is composed of individual spreadsheets; You have already used this in step 1. When saving
in *.xls format, all sheets are saved in one file at the same time. You can also export individual sheets from
a folder to *.txt or *.csv format, also using the commands in the menu
File. However, only the currently active spreadsheet is exported.

If you have saved a file in Excel format, you can transfer it directly to Excel. The File|Show File in Excel.exe
command is used for this purpose. With File|Start Excel.exe you start Excel without a file.
"Excel.exe" is the default that Ephemeris Tool sets up during installation. If you don't have Microsoft Excel
installed on your system, you can use these commands with other spreadsheets or editors. To do this,
configure Ephemeris Tool with the Settings|Set External Program command. Of course, the name of the
program you selected will appear in the file menu instead of “Excel.exe”.

Step 7: Planetoids and Comets

You will no doubt often use Ephemeris Tool to calculate the positions of planetoids and comets. For both
object classes, you can create individual ephemeris for any path element and ephemeris for all objects in a
path element file. You can create and manage databases with oscillating orbital elements for planetoids.
The functions for finding conjunctions of asteroids or comets with any other object, be it a body of the solar
system, a star or deep-sky objects, are very flexible.

Using planetoids as an example, you will now learn how to manage orbital elements and create ephemerides.
The procedure for comets is in many cases identical.

First call up the "Orbit elements for a Kepler ellipse (planetoids)" dialog with Objects|Planetoids:

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In the lower part of the dialog you can enter the path elements manually. It is certainly more convenient to
load the elements from a file. A sample database with approx. 1000 planetoids is supplied with Ephemeris Tool.
If this database (planets.csv) is not yet loaded, you can do this with the "Open file with path elements"
button. You can scroll through the database in the "Objects" list box and use the "Search for" input field to
search for the desired object. The track elements change over to the desired object.

If you leave the dialog with "OK", you can create an ephemeris table with Ephemeris|Planetoid, just like for
the planets, sun and moon. The oscillating path elements that you just entered or selected from the file are
used. The calculation is carried out as a two-body problem, without taking into account the orbital
perturbations caused by the planets. The results are therefore only valid for a limited period of time around
the epoch of the orbital elements.

You can also use Ephemeris|Daily Survey|Planetoids for all objects in the currently used file
call up a table with individual ephemerides with orbit elements for planetoids.

If you need accurate ephemeris for other time periods, you can also integrate the asteroid's orbit numerically.
More about that in the next step.

Alternatively, you can also use the Ephemeris Tool to create databases that manage many data sets with
oscillating path elements of an object for a longer period of time in such a way that the path element set that
is closest to the calculation date is always used. Some databases are already supplied with the full version
of Ephemeris Tool. With Ephemerides|Planetoids from database you open a dialog that offers you the
available databases for selection. If you select an object there and exit the dialog with "OK", an exact
ephemeris of this body will be calculated.

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Step 8: Numerical integration of asteroid orbits

In order to obtain high-precision ephemeris from planetoids (or comets), it is not sufficient to use oscillating orbital
elements. Rather, the orbital disturbances caused by the planets must be taken into account. Nowadays this is done
by numerical integration.

This is child's play with the Ephemeris Tool: In the previous step, you loaded orbit elements for an asteroid. You
can now call up a numerically integrated ephemeris for this set of orbit elements with Integration|Planetoid Orbit.
The Integration|All Planetoids command allows to integrate all bodies in the currently loaded file with orbital elements
for the current date.

The numerical integration of an asteroid or comet orbit takes considerably longer than the calculation of an ephemeris
according to the two-body problem. This is especially true when the time for the ephemeris is far removed from the
epoch of the orbital elements.

You can influence the basic settings that Ephemeris Tool uses for numerical integrations via Integration|Calculation
methods. There you can choose between two different integrators and select the disturbing bodies.

The other functions in the "Integration" menu allow you to integrate any status vectors for 2 to 14 bodies. With it
you can create your own planetary systems, but also integrate a precise status vector of all major planets and most
important planetoids of our solar system. The only difference to the professional models of our planetary system is
that subtleties such as tides and flattening of the planets as well as relativistic effects are ignored.

Step 9: Other Options

Ephemeris Tool offers you a wealth of functions and calculation options. For example, if you open the Ephemeris|
Moon menu, you will find the option to calculate occultations for your observing location. Ephemeris Tool has two
databases with brighter stars. In the "Options" dialog (Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F8) you can activate the "Comprehensive
calculation" option if you want to load the larger database (this may delay the Ephemeris Tool program start a little).

Limit values for the height of objects and the sun can also be specified there in order to filter out locally unobservable
events.

You can also find planetary occultations by the moon (again in the menu Ephemeris|Moon) and star occultations by
planets (Ephemeris|Star occultations by planets). For the brightest satellites of Jupiter and Saturn, Ephemeris Tool
can calculate the positions of the moons, events such as eclipses, occultations, transits, shadow transitions, mutual
conjunctions and elongations. The Ephemeris menu also contains lunar and solar eclipses.

The full version also allows you to calculate status vectors of the planetary system and the orbital elements of the
planets. This happens according to the VSOP planetary theory in different variants.

Finally, there is a module for orbit determination. You can find it under Tools|Orbit Determination.

You can also use the Tools menu to access single ephemeris and many other tools. So let z. B. Evaluate planet or
sun sketches and save the results in a table.

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Step 10: Conjunctions and Events

At the end of this little tutorial on Ephemeris Tool, we want to get to know one of the most powerful functions
of the program: finding events and conjunctions.

Suppose you want to find the oppositions of the first thousand numbered planetoids in the current year. First
set up the ephemeris period appropriately with Ctrl+F8. Now call conjunctions
and Events, and there events for multiple objects. The "Search event" dialog appears. There you mark the
option “Planetoids” under “Select object and data source”. Next to Planetoids, click Select. In the "Select data
range" dialog, mark the entire list on the left of the dialog with the mouse
or enter 1 under "From" and 1000 under "To". Confirm with OK".

Back in the "Select event" dialog, now select the entry "Opposition" in the option field of the same name.
Click "Search" at the bottom of the dialog. Ephemeris Tool now calculates the oppositions of all selected
planetoids (1-1000) in the ephemeris period. You can cancel the search at any time.

After the end of the calculation, click on "Close". Now Ephemeris Tool writes the results into the current
worksheet.

Maybe you want to sort the table by ascending date for an astronomical calendar? To do this, select the
table (without the title row) and invoke Edit|Sort. Under "Sort key" enter the column in which the date is
located (probably column C) and under "then after" enter the one with the time (probably column D). Confirm
with OK".

Conjunctions can also be found in a similar way. We are interested in all conjunctions between Jupiter and
Saturn between 1950 and 2050. Again, set the ephemeris period to this period with Ctrl+F8. Make sure that
the interval between the table values is relatively large (e.g. 10 days), because otherwise Ephemeris Tool
fears that you would calculate too many table values (around 16000 per table are allowed). Then go to
Conjunctions and Events|Conjunctions. In the Find Conjunctions dialog, select Jupiter under First Object and
Saturn under Second Object. The options
"Use Ephemeris Period" and "Create Table" below should be checked. A click on "Search" gives the following
result:

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You see the famous great conjunction of 1981 and also that such an event will unfortunately not be
repeated until 2050. Clicking on "Close" writes the results to the active worksheet, "Cancel" closes the
dialog without creating the table.

If you tick the "Topocentric coordinates" option in the dialog, the conjunctions, especially for the moon,
are calculated as they appear at the geographical location currently used. You can have the conjunctions
calculated for your next holiday in Australia - regardless of yearbook information!

The little tour of Ephemeris Tool is now over. He has familiarized you with the most important operating
techniques and perhaps whetted your appetite for the further possibilities of Ephemeris Tool. In addition
to the help in the manual, registered users of Ephemeris Tool also receive support via email:
[email protected]

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3 Menu reference

File Menu Commands

Use the File menu commands to save, load, or export Ephemeris Tool files to text or csv format. You
have tools for creating special file types and you will find the commands for printing here.

At the end of the file menu you will find a list of the most recently edited files for quick access.

File|New (Ctrl+N)
With this command you close a previously open file after a security query and create a new, empty
workbook (or an empty spreadsheet if you have switched off the spreadsheet).

After a security prompt, closes the currently open file and creates a new, empty file. Via "Settings|Table
Options" you can specify how many empty worksheets should be created. You can change the number
of sheets per file using the Edit menu commands.

Open (Ctrl+O)
After a security query, the command calls the usual Windows dialog box for opening an existing file. The
dialog only allows you to open files in the formats supported by Ephemeris Tool.

Save (Ctrl+S)
With this command, you save a file for which a file name has already been assigned, again under this
name.

If no file name has yet been assigned, call up the dialog box for assigning a file name with "Save". The
File|Save As command has the same effect.

Save as
This command brings up the standard Windows Save As dialog box. Here you can change the name
for the file, the directory on the disk and the file type.

Save as text file

This command in the "File" menu saves the active spreadsheet to a file in *.txt format. Fields are
separated by tabs, data records are separated by line breaks.

Save as csv file

Saves the content of the active spreadsheet to a *.csv file delimited by delimiters and newlines. The
delimiter can be set in the table options dialog.

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Files with the *.csv extension are Windows text files in which table columns are separated by ";"
characters (semicolon) and table rows by newlines. They are particularly suitable for exporting to
databases, spreadsheets or word processors, since most standard Windows software can handle this
format.

file tools
The File|File Tools command opens a submenu that provides you with various tools for viewing or
creating files and databases for Ephemeris Tool.

Dateibrowser (F12)

This command opens a browser that allows you to view most of the Ephemeris Tool binary file formats,
as well as text files.

First select the drive using the drop-down list for drives, then use the directory tree below to select the
folder and finally the desired file in the list box at the top left of the dialog. You can also filter by file types.

With "Display" or double-clicking on the file name, you display the file in the right part of the dialog. You
can enlarge or reduce the dialog window.

create databases

With this command you call up the "Databases with precalculated positions" dialog. Here you can
create database files with precalculated ephemeris according to the VSOP87C theory. With these
databases you accelerate the ephemeris calculation considerably, with almost the same accuracy as
when using the original VSOP87C theory.

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When using these databases, Ephemeris Tool will read the positions of the planets from the files and interpolate
them. These databases are already supplied with the full version of Ephemeris Tool, so that
You generally won't need to create these yourself.

However, you can create a smaller version of these files (validity period only from 1900 to 2100), which saves disk
space compared to the large versions supplied. A special database (also supplied with the full version) is used
exclusively to accelerate numerical integrations. It is generated when you check the "Database for numerical
integration" option.

Astorb database tool

Use the File|File Tools|Astorb Database Tool command to invoke the ASTORB.DAT Conversion Tool dialog box.
This converts the Astorb.dat database or the databases MPCORB.DAT or MPCORBcr.DAT to the Ephemeris Tool
*.csv format or formats for other astronomy programs.

Operation of the dialog box

1. Choose the desired output format in the Settings menu:

a) CSV format: converts the entire database to a csv format. You can open the resulting astero id.csv file entirely
in Windows databases or spreadsheets. Note that many spreadsheets only allow around 16,000 records per
spreadsheet!

b) Ephemeris Tool format: with this you create a special file format that my astronomy freeware programs can
read. It is a csv format with semicolon (;) as delimiter and comma (,) as decimal separator. The output file is called
asteroid.csv.

c) HomePlanet format: creates a file astrnew.csv in the format that the freeware program "HomePlanet" expects
(with comma [,] as separator and point [.] as decimal separator).

3. Check Options|International Settings if you want the decimal separator to be a period (.) and a list separator to
be a comma (,). Otherwise, the customs in Germany (comma and semicolon) are applied. Important: These settings
only have an effect if you have selected complete conversion to csv format (see above). This has no effect for the
special Ephemeris Tool and HomePlanet formats. These programs expect fixed specifications.

3. Now use File|Open to select the astorb.dat that you want to convert.

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The file is then read in line by line, converted and written to an "asteroid.csv" or "ast rnew.csv" file in the same directory as
the astorb.dat. You can cancel the (tedious!) process at any time. Then only part of the file is converted, the generated *.csv
file is correspondingly small.

After the conversion is on your hard drive

a) unchanged the astorb.dat

b) in the same directory, the file just created. Depending on whether they are complete or for a special format
converted, it is more or less large. But it can be 9 MB...

Sometimes it is necessary to split the csv file into two smaller ones. For example, my programs cannot read in all 34,000 data
records, but HomePlanet can. Spreadsheets usually only allow around 16,000 data records per worksheet.

warning

This tool may only be used on the unpacked astorb.dat or the MPCORB of the MPC! It is designed exactly for the format of
these files, as documented on the MPC website.
Editing other files with it may result in data loss.

Railway elements database tool

This command invokes a tool that can be used to create binary files containing predicted oscillating orbit elements for
planetoids. For example, you can use these files to create conjunctions
between planetoids and other objects with high precision.

Before you can use the tool, some preparatory work is necessary (see chapter "Worth knowing about program operation",
there "Procedures" and "Databases with oscillating orbit elements of planetoids
generate"). When you have created the raw data, you can set in the dialog whether the entire period of time provided by the
raw data should be used or only a portion of it. Then use "Convert" to create the binary *.eel files. You can manage them with
Objects|Planetoid Database.

files with geogr. Edit positions

With this menu command you open the "Database with geogr. Edit Positions". There you can edit files with geographic
positions in Ephemeris Tool format. These files in csv format can also be managed with editors, spreadsheets or databases.
However, the editor in Ephemeris Tool checks input for plausibility and may be easier to use for inexperienced users.

The first time this function is called, the data file provided with the Ephemeris Tool is loaded. If this is not available, a file input
dialog appears. There you can specify which existing file you want to edit. If you do not specify a file, a new file will be created.

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You can create new databases or load existing ones with the "New database" or "Load database" buttons.

The drop-down list at the top of the dialog contains all data records of the file just loaded. You can use it to scroll through the
file or use "search for" to find a specific record.

Under "Current Data Set" you will see the entries for the geographic location that you have selected from the list above. You
can change the individual sizes. After each change is saved as soon as you leave the corresponding editing field. As long as
you have not left the editing field, you can undo the change with "ESC".

You delete the current data record with the "Delete data record" button. With "New data record" you create a new, empty
data record.

To use the modified file in Ephemeris Tool, you must close the dialog and load the file with "Time/Location|Choose location".

Edit orbit element files for planetoids

With this menu command you open the "Edit database with orbit elements for planetoids" dialog. There you can edit files with
orbital elements for planetoids in Ephemeris Tool format. These files in csv format can also be managed with editors,
spreadsheets or databases. However, the editor in Ephemeris Tool checks input for plausibility and may be easier to use for
inexperienced users.

The first time this function is called, the data file provided with the Ephemeris Tool is loaded. If this is not available, a file input
dialog appears. There you can specify which existing file you want to edit. If you do not specify a file, a new file will be created.

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You can create new databases or load existing ones with the "New database" or "Load database" buttons.

The drop-down list at the top of the dialog contains all data records of the file just loaded. You can use it to
scroll through the file or use "search for" to find a specific record.

Under "Current data set" you will see the entries for the planetoid that you have selected from the list above.
You can change the individual sizes. Each change is saved as soon as you leave the corresponding editing
field. As long as you have not left the editing field, you can undo the change with "ESC".

You delete the current data record with the "Delete data record" button. With "New data record" you create
a new, empty data record.

To use the modified file in Ephemeris Tool, you must close the dialog and load the file with Objects|
Planetoids.

Edit orbital element files for comets

With this menu command you open the dialog "Edit database with orbit elements for comets". There you
can edit files with orbital elements for comets in Ephemeris Tool format. These files in csv format can also
be managed with editors, spreadsheets or databases. However, the editor in Ephemeris Tool checks input
for plausibility and may be easier to use for inexperienced users.

The first time this function is called, the data file provided with the Ephemeris Tool is loaded. If this is not
available, a file input dialog appears. There you can specify which existing file you want to edit. If you do not
specify a file, a new file will be created.

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You can create new databases or load existing ones with the "New database" or "Load database" buttons.

The drop-down list at the top of the dialog contains all data records of the file just loaded. You can use it to scroll through the
file or use "search for" to find a specific record.

Under "Current data set" you will see the entries for the comet that you have selected from the list above.
You can change the individual sizes. Each change is saved as soon as you leave the corresponding editing field. As long as
you have not left the editing field, you can undo the change with "ESC".

You delete the current data record with the "Delete data record" button. With "New data record" you create a new, empty data
record.

To use the modified file in Ephemeris Tool, you must close the dialog and load the file with Objects|Comets.

Edit files with moving stars

With this menu command you open the dialog "Edit database with orbit elements for comets". There you can edit files with
orbital elements for comets in Ephemeris Tool format. These files in csv format can also be managed with editors, spreadsheets
or databases. However, the editor in Ephemeris Tool checks input for plausibility and may be easier to use for inexperienced
users.

The first time this function is called, the data file provided with the Ephemeris Tool is loaded. If this is not available, a file input
dialog appears. There you can specify which existing file you want to edit. If you do not specify a file, a new file will be created.

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You can create new databases or load existing ones with the "New database" or "Load database" buttons.

The drop-down list at the top of the dialog contains all data records of the file just loaded. You can use it to scroll
through the file or use "search for" to find a specific record.

Under "Current record" you will see the entries for the star that you have selected from the list above. You can change
the individual sizes. After each change is saved as soon as you leave the corresponding editing field. As long as you
have not left the editing field, you can undo the change with "ESC".

You delete the current data record with the "Delete data record" button. With "New data record" you create a new,
empty data record.

To use the modified file in Ephemeris Tool, you must close the dialog and load the file with Objects|Vatables.

Show file in...

This command only appears if Ephemeris Tool has found your Excel installation or if you have manually specified an
external program (Settings|Specify External Program) that you can start from within Ephemeris Tool.

The command is then called, for example, “Show file in Excel.exe” and starts Excel with the spreadsheet file that has
just been loaded. If the current table has not yet been saved, you will be prompted to do so beforehand.

Start ...
This command only appears if Ephemeris Tool has found your Excel installation or if you have manually specified an
external program (Settings|Specify External Program) that you can start from within Ephemeris Tool.

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The command is then called, for example, "Start Excel.exe" and starts Excel.

set up page

With this command you can specify the appearance of printed tables (margins, headers and footers, print options).

The "Page Setup" dialog appears.

Here you can set the following:

1. the size of the margins (in cm), 2. the

content of the headers and footers (see "Procedures, define headers and footers"), 3. the order
in which a table that extends over several pages , is to be output, 4. the option to fit a table horizontally or
vertically centered in the page, 5. options: print grid lines or not, black and white printing,
print row and column headers or not, 6. the scaling of
the table (automatic
fitting in one or more pages, scaling by a fixed

factor,
7. the orientation of the page.

print area

This command in the File menu opens a submenu with two options:

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Set print area

This defines the marked area on the table as the print area. The print area is the only area that will be printed.

Clear print area

This command clears the print area in the current table if one has been defined.

Print (Ctrl+P)
Use this command to print a file. The command first calls up a dialog in which you

1. be able to choose the printer for the printout,

2. Set more options depending on the printer models you are using, and
3. Specify page number and range of pages to be printed.

If you close the dialog with OK, the printout of the table will start.

Quit (Alt+F4)
This will exit Ephemeris Tool. If there are still unsaved files open, a confirmation prompt appears.

Edit Menu Commands

Cut (Ctrl+X)
With this command you copy the content of the selected cell(s) to the clipboard and delete the content of the cell range.

Copy (Ctrl+C)
This command copies the content of the selected cells to the clipboard.

Paste (Ctrl+V)
This command pastes the contents of the clipboard into the table. Caution: Existing cell contents are overwritten without
warning.

to delete contents

This command in the "Edit" menu opens a submenu with the following options:

Everything

This deletes the content of the selected cell(s), including any formatting as well as the formulas and entries in the cell.

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FORMATS

With this command you delete all formatting of the selected cell(s). The values and formulas are retained.

formulas

With this command you delete the values and formulas of the selected cells without removing any formatting.

Find... (Ctrl+F)

You can use this command to search for character strings in the current worksheet. The usual Windows
“Search” dialog appears.

Replace... (Ctrl+E)

With this command you can search for character strings in the current worksheet and replace them with
others. The usual Windows “Replace” dialog appears.

Go to... (Ctrl+G)

After calling this command, the dialog box "Go to" appears. Here you can enter a cell reference or a name
for a reference (if it has been assigned).

After confirming with OK, the cell reference is activated (highlighted).

Sort by...

You can use this command to sort a selected cell range.

First mark the desired area.

Then invoke the "Sort" command. The Sort dialog box appears.

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Here you can adjust

1. whether you want to sort by rows or columns, 2. by which rows/

columns in the area you want to sort - up to three criteria can be specified
become,
3. Whether the sorting should be in ascending or descending order.

Delete cells...
To delete cells in a spreadsheet, do the following:

1. Mark the cell range whose cells you want to delete.

2. A dialog then appears in which you can specify whether the cells below or to the right of the marked area should move up into
the space that becomes free or whether you want to delete entire rows or columns.

If you have marked entire rows or columns, they will also be deleted altogether.

Delete table
This command irrevocably deletes the active worksheet.

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Rename table...

This menu command opens a dialog box in which the name of the currently active worksheet appears.
You can change this designation here.

move table...

This command brings up a dialog box in which you can specify the worksheet from which to insert the
active worksheet on the left.

To move a specific table to a desired position, do the following:

1. Highlight the required spreadsheet.
2. Go to Edit|Move Table...
3. Select the table in front of which the spreadsheet is to be positioned.

Undo table action (Ctrl+Z)

With this command you can delete an accidentally generated table and restore the previous state of
the active sheet.

View Menu Commands

Spreadsheet (Ctrl+F1)
Use this command to enable or disable the Ephemeris Tool Spreadsheet. When the spreadsheet
interface is disabled, ephemeris are rendered in the program window significantly faster. The
representation takes place in a simple data grid. The downside is that some program functions are not
accessible.

If the spreadsheet is hidden, the following program functions are missing:

• Orbit determination
• Print
• Save in *.xls format
• all spreadsheet functions

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• a number of formatting options in the Format menu.

Some commands in the Format menu are added. The tables in the data grid view can be saved in a program-specific
file format.

edit line
This command toggles the edit line on or off. There you can directly edit the content of the active cell of the worksheet.
When a large calculation is in progress, a status message and a "Cancel" button appear in place of the edit line, allowing
you to stop the calculation
with.

When the edit line is visible, the menu item is highlighted. The command works like an on/off switch.

status bar
The "View|Status Bar" command shows or hides the status bar at the bottom of the window. The command works like
a switch, the status is indicated by a tick next to the menu item.

Structure of the status bar

The status bar shows at a glance the currently used settings in Ephemeris Tool. By double-clicking on the respective
element, you open a dialog for changing the sizes. With the right mouse button you also call up a context menu with the
corresponding command.

become left-justified
• Date, Time, Universal Time, Julian Date and Sidereal Time
• Geographic coordinates and difference ET-UT
displayed.

You will find right-aligned

• - the currently used, valid digits for numerical integration,
• - the indication whether the moon positions are based on the fast Newcomb method or the high-precision ELP-2000/82
theory are calculated,
• - the display of whether and with what level of accuracy the planets according to the fast Newcomb or the precise
en VSOP87 theory are calculated,
• - in the case of ongoing, lengthy invoices, a progress indicator in the lower part of the status bar,
• - a hint when calculations are running in the background.

toolbar
The "Configuration|Toolbar" command shows or hides the toolbar at the top of the window. The command works like a
switch. The status is indicated by a tick next to the menu item.

The toolbar is also hidden by double-clicking its area (not a button icon). There is also a pop-up menu that appears when
you right-click on the toolbar.

You can wrap the toolbar to display it on smaller screen resolutions (View|Wrap Toolbar).

The meaning of the command symbols can be indicated by help hints if the option "Quick help
Show” is activated in the Configuration menu.

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Wrap toolbar
The toolbar cannot be fully displayed on low-resolution screens. If this option is activated, the toolbar is
split into two lines one below the other if the program window is not large enough for a complete display.

However, this takes up space for the actual program interface (spreadsheet). The toolbar can be
prevented from wrapping with this menu option if required.

Clocks (F10)
This command in the "View" menu shows a toolbar with clocks (also for different time
zones).

The clock bar gives you quick access to the various astronomical time scales. If
desired, it also forms a small world time clock. You can add or remove zone times for
any geographic location by double-clicking on the clock bar or by using the “Settings|
Configure Clock Bar (Ctrl+F10)” command.

Table toolbar
This command in the View menu shows or hides the table configuration toolbar. This toolbar gives you
quick access to some of the features of the table configuration dialog.

Show quick help

The “Configuration|Show quick help” command activates or deactivates the display of tooltips that
appear whenever the mouse pointer hovers over some of the input fields in the dialogs or a button in
the toolbar. Since this behavior can also be annoying, it can be switched on and off with this menu
option.

The menu command works like a switch - the respective status is clarified by a tick next to the menu
entry.

Show tips of the day

This command enables or disables the display of the "Tip of the Day" window at program start. This
window informs you about tweaks, tricks and hidden features of Ephemeris Tool. You should use the
"Tips of the Day" until you are well acquainted with the program. Even after updates, it's worth calling
up the tips of the day - new ones may have been added.

The menu command works like a switch. It is checked if the tips are displayed on startup.

show warnings
If this menu option is activated, Ephemeris Tool will ask if a calculation method has been chosen that is
either very tedious or unreasonably expensive (e.g. activation of a VSOP theory for the numerical
integration of a planetoid orbit).

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English version (Alt+F6)

This will switch you to the English interface. The command is then marked. To return to the German interface, press the command
again.

Insert menu commands

cells
This command from the "Insert" menu inserts empty cells into the selected area and moves the existing cells.

To insert empty cells into a spreadsheet, do the following:

1. Highlight the area where you want to add additional blank cells.
2. A dialog then appears in which you can specify whether the cells in the selected area should be shifted to the right or down, or
whether you want to insert entire rows or columns.

If you have selected entire rows or columns, new rows or columns are inserted.

Table (Shift+Alt+F1)
With this command you insert a new worksheet to the left of the active worksheet. You can move it to another position with "Edit|
Move table".

names...
Call this command to give a cell or a selected range of cells a defined name. A dialog box appears in which you can add a new
name to a list of existing names or use "Delete" to remove an existing name.

Via Edit|Go to you can jump directly to a named cell or a table section. Besides that, you can use names in formulas just like cell
references.

change of sides

Use this command to insert a page break above and to the left of the selected cell or range of cells.

When printed, the table is wrapped here.

Page breaks are marked by lines in the table.

Cancel page change

Use this command to remove the page break above and to the left of the selected cell or range of cells.

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Format menu commands

Layout

You can use the Format|Layout command to globally change the appearance of the basic table surface (not the
spread sheet). The Global Change Table Layout dialog box appears:

Change column width/row height

This changes the row heights and column widths of the entire table as a percentage. You can change individual
rows and columns by dragging them with the mouse.

rows/column headers

This changes the width of the row headers and the height of the column headers (in pixels)

grid lines

This shows or hides the grid lines for the table or the rows/column headers.

A notice:

The Layout command is only available when the spreadsheet interface is disabled.

Colors

With the command "Format|Colors" you call up a submenu. If the simple table grid, not the spreadsheet, is activated,
you can set the color of the background separately for the tables and for the rows/column headers. This is done
using the standard Windows color selection dialog.

The command is not available in spreadsheet mode.

cells

With this command in the "Format" menu, you open a submenu whose options you can use to influence the format
of the cells in the spreadsheet and sometimes also in the simple table grid.

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font

This brings up the Font dialog box. With this standard Windows dialog, you set the font, style, font size and color for the marked
cells on the spreadsheet.

alignment

With this command you call up a dialog box in which you can specify how the cell contents in the
currently selected area are to be aligned on the spreadsheet.

Pay

With this command you call up a dialog with which you can change the displayed number format of the
currently selected cells on the worksheet.

Various formatting types are specified in the "Category" combo box.

Some format suggestions are listed in the "Format" list box. When you select a format, the entry in the input field below
changes automatically.

You can also enter a custom number format there.

Available number formats are: general, currency, fixed point, percent, fractions, scientific, date, time.

You can also format fixed-point numbers directly with Format|Decimal places without going through the
dialog.

Frame

With this command, you invoke a dialog box in which you can specify how the selected cells in the
spreadsheet should be framed.

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Under "Borders" you determine whether right, left, top, bottom lines or an outline should be displayed around
the marked area.

Set the line type under “Border” and the color of the border lines under “Color”.

The frames are independent of the raster of the grid lines.

Muster

With this command you call up a dialog box in which you can specify the foreground and background color
as well as a fill pattern for the selected cells in the worksheet.

Protection...

This command calls up a dialog box in which you can set the extent to which cell contents are protected
against changes and formulas are to be visible or hidden.

Locked: When this box is checked, the cell content cannot be edited.

Hide formula: If this box is checked, the formula will not be displayed in the respective cell.

The lock is only effective if protection for the spreadsheet is switched on with Format|Activate cell protection.

Bold (Shift+Ctrl+F)

Formats the selected area in bold.

Italic (Shift+Ctrl+K)

Formats the selected area in italics.

Underline (Shift+Ctrl+U)

Formats the selected area underlined.

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Line

This command in the Format menu takes you to two subcommands:

Height

With this command you call up the "Define row height" dialog.

Here you can •

freely set the height of the rows in pixels in the selected cell area • adjust the
height automatically • hide or show rows.

optimal height

With this command, the height of the lines in the selected area is automatically adjusted to the highest entry.
However, the row height is not set smaller than the default row height in the table.

Split
This command in the Format menu takes you to two subcommands:

Broad

With this command you call up the "Specify column width" dialog.

Here you can •

freely set the width of the columns in pixels in the selected cell area • adjust the
width automatically • hide or show columns.

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Optimum width

With this command, the width of the columns in the selected area is automatically adjusted to the longest entry.
However, the column width is not set smaller than the default column width in the table.

decimal places

You call up a submenu with Format|Decimal places. There you directly determine the fixed-point number format for the
selected cell range for numeric entries. This is faster than using Format|Cells|Numbers.

show formulas

With this command you instruct Ephemeris Tool to display the formulas and not the results of the calculations on the
current worksheet.

If there are formatted numbers in cells, they are displayed without formatting, especially with the original accuracy.

The menu command works like an on/off switch. If the formula display is activated, the menu item is highlighted.

Activate cell protection

This command enables or disables protection for cells formatted with cell protection.
The command for protecting individual cells from modification can be found under Format|Cells|Protection....

Paste/Unpin
This command fixes the table section above or to the left of the selected cell or cell range in the active worksheet.

This means that row or column headings are always visible, even when you move through large tables.

Commands in the "Time/Location" menu

Enter date and place...(Ctrl+D)

With the command "Time and place|Enter date and place" a dialog box is opened. There you set the date and time that
Ephemeris Tool should use.

The geographic position can also be specified with the Time/Location|Choose location... command.

With the date you also define the start date for ephemeris tables. The end date of a table
is determined via Time/Location|Period for Table (Ctrl+F8). The start date can also be set there.

Setting the date

In the upper part of the "Enter date and location" dialog you specify the date and time:

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You are expected to enter the date first. You can enter it directly in the "Date" input field or separately for
the year, month and day. In the "Date" field, one digit for the day or month is sufficient (e.g. 01/01/1995).

A year with Amount<1000 requires one or more leading zeros (0011 becomes 11 and not 2011).

Enter the time in the same way.

The difference between UT and ET will be expected in seconds. It can also be set to zero ("ephemeris
time"), for which a separate button is provided. In addition, the program can calculate an approximate value
for the difference between universal time and ephemeris time ("0h UT" button). You can also specify that
Ephemeris Tool automatically calculates a new approximation for ET-UT whenever the date changes (check
box "Use approximation value for ET-UT automatically"). Finally, you can also change the daylight saving
time setting.

With the help of the "00:00 UT" button, the zone time for which the world time (Greenwich) is 00:00 is set,
taking summer or winter time into account (corresponds to the rounding of the Julian date to the next smaller
integer value minus 0.5).

Defining the geographic position

In the lower part of the "Enter date and location" dialog you specify the geographic position:

You can set the geographic location in a number of ways.

Manual entry of geogr. Coordinates, time zone and place name

Under "geographical Lg.” and “geogr. Width" you can enter the desired coordinates. The following applies: If
you enter a [°] or ['] character, Ephemeris Tool interprets the numerical value as in the format ° ' ''. If you
enter [,] or [.] as the decimal separator and none of the above characters, the angle is interpreted in decimal
format. East longitudes and south latitudes are expected to be negative.

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The difference between world time and zone time is expected under "Time zone" (negative west of Greenwich).
"Additional difference in minutes" allows to enter "fractional" time zones (e.g. 4h30m before Greenwich).

Entering a place name under "Place" is optional.

Load coordinates from a file

With the "Load coordinates from database" button you call up the "Load or enter geographic location from file"
dialog, which you can also access via the "Select location" menu command. This is a quick way to load coordinates
from a geographic coordinates file. However, sea level and additional minute differences to the full time zone are
not loaded. These are not provided for in the file format.

Elevation, atmospheric conditions and refraction

Entering the sea level in m is taken into account when calculating the topocentric location. A little)
Effect only occurs with the moon (simulation of solar eclipses, possibly occultation processes).

Temperature and air pressure are taken into account in an (approximate) algorithm when calculating the refraction.
The refraction is only calculated if the "Consider refraction" check box is activated.

Elevation and Refraction settings are also available in the Select Location dialog.

Julian Date (Ctrl+J)

With Time/Location|Julian Date you open the "Julian Date" dialog. Here you can directly enter the Julian date as well
as the time zone and an additional time zone difference in minutes.

You can also take the Julian date from the Windows clipboard using the "Paste" button. This is useful if you want to
quickly take the date and time from other astronomy programs. You can use "Copy" to copy the value in the JD input
field to the clipboard.

You can also set the time zone in the dialog. This works in the same way as in the "Enter date and location" dialog.

With the time read in here, the start time for the ephemeris tables is also determined.
The end date for a table and the increment are determined with the "Configuration|Period for table..." command.

Take JD from table

If the current worksheet contains Julian dates, you can use this command to switch the date and time to one of these
values. The settings for ET-UT, time zone, etc. remain unchanged.

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Proceed as follows:
1. Highlight the cell containing the Julian date you want.
2. Activate the menu command “Time/Location|Take over JD from table”.

The date and time are now automatically set to the new value.

With the time read in here, the start time for the ephemeris tables is also determined.
The end date for a table and the increment are determined with the "Configuration|Period for table..." command.

system date
The "Time and Location|System Date" command sets the date and time used by Ephemeris Tool to the value of
the computer clock, i.e. to the "present" - if the computer clock is correct. The setting for the time zone remains
unchanged.

With the time read in here, the start time for the ephemeris tables is also determined.
The end date for a table and the increment are determined with the "Configuration|Period for table..." command.

fraction of day
For some purposes it is useful to be able to read a date by specifying the year, month and day with a fraction of a
day. The decimal places express the world time in decimal places (UT/24). This is needed primarily when entering
the orbital elements of comets, where the perihelion time is often specified in this way.

To enter the date as a fraction of a day, invoke the Time and Location|Fraction of Day command. First the dialog
"Enter fraction of day" appears, in which you make the entries.

Enter the desired time here as a combination of year, month and day with decimal places, as you often find it in
orbit elements for comets, for example. The date is expressed in universal time (UT). The decimal places are
calculated as universal time/24 hours.

If you confirm with OK, the "Jul. Date of the fraction of day".

Here you determine whether you want to continue using the Julian date in the program ("Apply" button) or not
("OK" button).

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In order to be able to use the Julian date elsewhere (e.g. in other programs), select the numerical value and copy it to
the clipboard using Ctrl+C or Shift+Insert.

With the time read in here, the start time for the ephemeris tables is also determined.
The end date for a table and the incremental are determined with the command "Configuration|Period for table...".

Enter UT
This command from the Time/Location menu allows you to enter the date and time used by the Ephemeris Tool directly
as UT.

With the time read in here, the start time for the ephemeris tables is also determined.
The end date for a table and the incremental are determined with the command "Configuration|Period for table...".

summer time/winter time

By selecting the menu item "Daylight Saving Time" an additional hour for the daylight saving time of a time zone is
added to the time zone difference to Greenwich. Then the system time of the computer is also interpreted as “summer time”.

You can also switch daylight saving time on or off in the "Enter date and location" dialog.

When Daylight Saving Time is enabled, the Time/Location menu has a Winter Time menu option that you can use to
turn Daylight Saving Time back off.

When changing between summer and winter time, the time is recorded, ie the world time changes and with it the Julian
date. In the status bar you will see "SZ" for summer time or "WZ" for winter
time behind the time zone.

Period for Table... (Ctrl+F8)

With this command you define the time range and the increment of an ephemeris table. The dialog "Period and
increment for ephemeris" appears:

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Start date:

The start date is displayed in the upper part of the dialog (date, time, time zone) and can be retained there
or changed if necessary. The date currently used by the program is always used as the start date, as can
also be set using the commands in the "Time/Location" menu.

If the values for the start date are changed, all subsequent calculations - not just ephemeris tables, but also
the individual ephemeris that are called up under "Info" - refer to this point in time.

Note: The settings for summer and winter time can only be changed via the corresponding menu item in
the "Time and location" menu or via the function key F10.

End date:

The lower part of the dialog window is used to define the end date of an ephemeris table. There are two
options here:

1. Specify the last date used for the table using a civil date (similar to the start date, except that the time
zone cannot be re-entered here). This option can only be selected if the "Automatic end date" option
(see below) is not activated.
2. Determine the end date from the start date and a time difference in days and hours. To do this, the option
"Automatic end date" must be ticked (otherwise this input option will be deactivated).

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Increment:

The interval between the table values in days and/or hours is defined under "Time interval". Irrespective of
the time frame and the increment as defined in this dialog, the maximum
1000 data sets output.

You can also calculate tables for irregularly spaced points in time by reading these points in time from a table
with Julian dates (see “Ephemeris point in time from table” below).

Solar eclipses:

You can set the following options for the calculation of solar eclipses:
1. the time interval for which the locations on the central line are given,
2. the period around the new moon for which eclipses are searched,
3. the increment for the table of local circumstances (solar elevation and phases) of an eclipse.

Period for table... (JD)

This command allows you to enter the boundary for an ephemeris table over Julian dates. You also specify
the increment of the table in days (with a decimal fraction).

The "Paste" and "Copy" buttons give you access to the Windows clipboard for the Julian data.

Period from configuration

This command from the Time/Location menu allows you to take the date and time used by the Ephemeris
Tool from the configuration file currently in use. The other settings for the period and interval of ephemeris
tables are also read from the currently loaded configuration.

Ephemeris times from table... (F9)

For some purposes it is useful to compute an ephemeris table not for even dates between a start and end
date, but for a set of irregularly spaced points in time. For example, you want to determine the altitude of
Mercury at the beginning of civil twilight in a specific time period. To do this, you first calculate an ephemeris
of the twilight times and then the height of Mercury for these twilight times.

If you output the twilight times as Julian dates, you can then use these as times for the ephemeris table with
the heights of Mercury. To do this, proceed as follows:

1. Mark the Julian dates of the twilight times.

2. Bring up the Julian Data from Table dialog:

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Here you see the Julian dates listed that are used for further calculations. You can delete the list, mark it again in
the table and read it in again with "Read values". The dialog allows access to the current ephemeris table.

When you have closed the dialog with "OK", you can calculate the Mercury ephemerides for the desired times
(beginning of twilight).

Ephemeris Tool will use the inherited Julian dates until you either run the command again or change anything else
in the time and location settings. After that, Ephemeris Tool will revert to normal table mode (start and end dates
with fixed distance between table values).

As long as the Julian dates list is used, the Ephemeris Times from Table menu option is checked.

choose place...

Use the "Time/Location|Choose location" command to open the Load or enter geographic location from file dialog.
There you either enter your geographic position manually or load it from a file.

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Here you either enter your geographic position manually or load it from a file. You can also enter additional
quantities (daylight saving time, sea level, weather for the calculation of the refraction). However, you
cannot load this information from the database.

Enter your own values

Under "geographical Lg.” and “geogr. Width" you can enter the desired coordinates. The following applies:
If you enter a [°] or ['] character, Ephemeris Tool interprets the numerical value as in the format ° ' ''. If you
enter [,] or [.] as the decimal separator and none of the above characters, the angle is interpreted in decimal
format. East longitudes and south latitudes are expected to be negative. The difference between world time
and zone time is expected under "Time zone" (negative west of Greenwich). "Additional difference in
minutes" allows to enter "fractional" time zones (e.g. 4h30m before Greenwich). Entering a place name
under "Place" is optional.

2. Use of a file with geogr. coordinates

If the Ephemeris Tool has found a “places.csv” file, the places in it will be displayed in the “Places” drop-
down list. With "search for" you can search for any location in the file. If the option field "Only by beginning
of word" is selected, only the beginning of a word is searched for, which is relatively quick. Otherwise, the
character string is searched for (slower) at every position in the place name. Then the search term "nchen"
finds, for example, "Germany, Munich".

The file currently in use is specified above the drop-down list.

Elevation can only be set manually. It is not changed when loading a data record from a file. The same
applies to the additional minute difference to the time zone.

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Open Geographic Coordinates File button

If you have created your own files with geographic coordinates, you can use the "File
open with geographic coordinates” to load such a file.

Elevation, atmospheric conditions and refraction

Entering the sea level in m is taken into account when calculating the topocentric location. A little)
Effect only occurs with the moon (simulation of solar eclipses, possibly occultation processes).

Temperature and air pressure are taken into account in an (approximate) algorithm when calculating the
refraction. The refraction is only calculated if the "Consider refraction" check box is activated.

Elevation and Refraction settings are also available in the Enter Date and Location dialog.

Notes on using geographic coordinates files in the Select Location dialog

When the dialog appears, a newly installed Ephemeris Tool should have the "orte.csv" file loaded. If this is
not the case (the file name is shown at the top of the dialog), it is best to first load a file with geographic
coordinates, either orte.csv, which should be in the Ephemeris Tool program folder, or a file that you have
created yourself . To do this, click the "Open file with geographic coordinates" button. The usual Windows
dialog for assigning a file name appears.

All the locations in the file you just opened are then in the "Locations" drop-down list
are included. You can scroll through the list or use "search for" to search for part of the desired place
name. You can also search for some places in the "orte.csv" file using the German postal code.

If you have selected a location from the list, the information in "Coordinates used" will change immediately.
You can of course edit this information. However, the edited values are not saved in the opened file. You
may have to edit the files with geographic coordinates using external tools (editors, spreadsheets or
databases).

Note: If you have opened a file with geographic coordinates and save the current configuration file after
exiting the dialog, the Ephemeris Tool also notes the name of the loaded location database in this file.
The next time you open the "Load geographic location from file" dialog, you will find this location database
again. The other input variables of the dialog are also saved in the configuration file.

Worldwide Database...
This brings up the Search in World Places Database dialog. This gives you access to a database of around
2.6 million locations around the world.

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Search location by name

Enter the location you are looking for here. Under "Search mode" you can set whether the search should be carried
out as you type, which only makes sense on extremely fast computers. Otherwise select the mode that only starts
the search after <Enter>.

As soon as you have entered a number of characters that corresponds to the value under "Full hit list after ...
characters", not only is the first entry in the database found, but a hit list is generated (which takes additional time,
hence the possible limitation on a minimum entry).

All hits are returned whose first character corresponds to the search term entered. There is no distinction between
upper and lower case.

Use of wildcards (*. ?)

If you use wildcards (* or ?) in the search term, only places that match the search mask will be found.

Examples:

B*rken finds bark, bark, birch, etc.

Burken finds Berken, Birch, Bark, etc.
B?rken* also finds Barkenfelde.

The first character in the search term must not be a wildcard. With "Search help" you get a short help on the wildcards.

Browse the database

The alphabetical selection list (letters) takes you to the first entry under the respective letter. The empty entry leads
to the initial characters that are lexically before "a". You can also

a) enter an absolute record number,

b) use the arrow keys to navigate in the database,
c) scroll through the database using the scroll bar.

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A certain number of data records are read in advance and displayed in the hit list on the left of the window. You
specify the number of these hits under “Preview records”. This is also the interval by which the < and > keys
scroll. The << and >> keys scroll back and forth by ten times the interval. However, the higher the value, the
slower the search.

hit list

On the left side of the window you will see a list of which

a) lists the places that match the search term,

b) for short search masks only the first hit,
c) when searching by record number, the first n records (where you specify "n" as described above).

If you click on an entry, it is displayed in the lower right corner of the window (red font). You can also search in
the hit list yourself (input field “Search in result list”).

search results

The selected database entry is shown in red at the bottom right of the window. The time zone is taken from the
geographic longitude and is thus defined purely mathematically. The actual, politically defined time zone may
deviate from this. The west of Germany actually already belongs to the Greenwich time zone. You can therefore
adjust the value manually and, if necessary, enter another minute difference (e.g.
B. for broken time zones, such as in Australia).

If you exit the dialog with "OK", the selected location will be adopted in the program.

Settings menu commands

configuration new
The command "Settings|File new" causes each further saving in a configuration file to be done with a new file
name. The connection to the last opened configuration file is broken.

Open Configuration (Shift+Alt+F1)

Almost all settings that can be made in the program can be saved in any number of configuration files. These
files have the extension *.ocf.

If such a configuration file already exists, it can be reloaded with "Settings|Open File". A standard Windows file
selection dialog appears. The settings saved in this file (date, time, location, selected objects, settings for the
tables, etc.) are then effective.

A file called "Ephtl4.ocf" is automatically read and used each time the program is started, provided it is stored
in the same directory as the program file. In this way it is possible to define your preferred basic settings for
each program start. Just setting the date
and time in "Ephemeris Tool4.ocf" is discarded: the program always starts with the system time of the computer
clock.

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Save configuration (Alt+F1)

Use Settings|Save File to save the settings Ephemeris Tool is currently using to the currently open
configuration file.

If no configuration file is currently open, the Save Configuration File As dialog box appears, allowing you
to enter a new name for the new file.

Save configuration as...

Use "Settings|Save File As" to save the current program configuration under a different name or in a
different location. The "Save configuration file as..." dialog box appears even if no configuration file is
currently open.

Configure tables (F8)

The "Settings|Configure Tables" command invokes the "Configure Ephemeris Table Display" dialog.
Here you can determine which ephemeris sizes Ephemeris Tool creates a table
taken into account and set some other options (e.g. for displaying the date).

Click on one of the tabs to make the desired settings.

You can also call up some of the dialog's functions via the table toolbar.

In the lower part of the dialog you see a preview of the column headings for the currently selected sizes.
You can use the "Preview for" drop-down list to select an object for whose special properties the
available ephemeris are displayed, or use "All" to display all available sizes. As soon as you change
something on one of the tabs, you see the result in the preview:

The Standard button turns on a fixed combination of commonly used sizes. As soon as you change a
larger selection (e.g. with the Select/Delete All buttons), an "Undo" button appears.

With "Save configuration" you can save a configuration that you have set on this and the other tabs. A
Windows dialog for assigning a file name appears. Open a saved configuration with "Load configuration".
The compilation of the sizes is also stored in the general Ephemeris Tool configuration files.

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Ephemeris sizes tab

Here you can select or deselect the most important ephemeris sizes available for most objects for the
output. To do this, click on the respective check box.

Heliocentric and geocentric ecliptical coordinates apply to the current equinox, as do the apparent
(corrected for nutation and aberration) equatorial coordinates. You can also select topocentric-equatorial
coordinates.

You specify the epoch for the additional equinox on the "Date, Time, Equinox" tab.

Special Ephemeris tab

Here you can select less frequently used ephemeris sizes and sizes that are only available for certain
objects.

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For the moon you can also select the (rarely needed) topocentric physical ephemeris.

Elevation, azimuth and hour angle are usually calculated topocentrically. For special applications, you
can also calculate geocentric values (geocentric).

For the sun you can select, among other things, the twilight times and the times of darkness (those times
when the sun is far enough below the horizon and at the same time no moonlight disturbs the observation).

Under "Heliocentric or geocentric kart. Coordinates" you can select orthogonal position and velocity
vectors in different systems.

On request, the orbital elements are calculated for the planets (according to Newcomb or the VSOP theory)
and for numerically integrated ephemeris of asteroids and comets.

Groups and Presets tab

Here you can select or deselect certain types of ephemeris sizes as a whole (under "Display Groups")
or also select specific, preset configurations. These provide a selection of the sizes typically required
for the respective object, as can usually be found in current yearbooks.

Date, time, equinox tab

Here you specify the output of date, time and some other options.

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output of the date

With "only show date" the output of the time is suppressed. This is useful, for example, for ephemeral rides
that apply to 0h UT or ET, such as e.g. B. is common in yearbooks.

Additional equinox

Specify here for which epoch (year with decimal places) the coordinates of the additional equinox (which is
available next to the equinox of the date) should apply.

stardate

In addition to the civil date and/or the time, the local sidereal time, the Greenwich sidereal time and the
geocentric longitude of the vernal equinox (that is the Greenwich sidereal time in angular dimensions) are
also output for the respective table time.

LAST

When this option is checked, Ephemeris Tool uses nutation corrected sidereal time instead of mean sidereal
time for all calculations.

Output sunrise/sunset and twilight times as Julian dates

Check this option if you need the times of sunrise and twilight as Julian dates. If you have the Julian dates,
you can get them with Time/Location|Ephemeris Times from Table
(F9) as a basis for tables with irregular time intervals. This is necessary in special application cases, e.g.
B. to look for a Mercury visibility.

Column Headers (Shift+F8)

Use the "Settings|Column Headings" command to call up the "Specify Defaults for Column Headings"
dialog. Here the headings for the columns can be adjusted for all ephemeris sizes. When generating an
ephemeris table, Ephemeris Tool uses these specifications. This allows you to name the individual quantities
of an ephemeris however you like.

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The easiest way to change a column heading is to enter the desired designation directly into the table
grid. There you can also adjust the column width for the simple table grid (not the spreadsheet surface)
by dragging with the mouse (in the small, gray column above the column labels).
its.

Any changes you make here only take effect when you create a new table. They are saved when
creating a configuration file.

This menu option can also be used as a sort of "legend". You can look up here how a given quantity is
described by default in ephemeris tables.

Size combo box

Open the ephemeris size whose current designation you want to look up or change.

"Column headings in newly created ephemeris tables" input field

The currently used column header appears here for the size selected in the combo box mentioned above.
You can change this column label. A column label may contain 255 characters.

Use default for this size button

With this button you activate the default column designation in Ephemeris Tool. Any designation you
have entered will be overwritten.

Use default for all sizes button

This button resets all column headings to the Ephemeris Tool default labels.

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A notice:

All settings in this dialog only take effect when they are
1. leave the dialog with "OK", not with "Cancel",
2. create a new table.

Data Formats (Alt+F8)

With this command, you call up the "Define Formats and Decimal Places" dialog. Here you can specify the
number of decimal places for each ephemeris size. You can also choose between a numeric data format (e.g.
123.4567° for angles) and a "layout format" (for angles e.g. 123°45'12.2''). You should prefer the former if you
want to perform numerical operations on the data.
The latter is e.g. B. often more suitable for the transfer of value tables in publications.

You can save a laboriously compiled compilation of formatting in files with the "Save" and "Load" buttons. The
formatting is also saved when you create and save a configuration file.

Individual sizes tab

On this tab you can individually set the number of decimal places and the data format for each ephemeris size.

In the selection list, click on the size whose format you want to change. The column headings of the individual
quantities as they appear in the ephemeris tables are listed in the list. A description of the respective size can
be found at the top of the dialog. With "Search" you can search for an ephemeris size. Filters allow you to limit
the selection in the list to specific groups of ephemeris sizes
was

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For most sizes you can now change two things:

1. Decimal places.
2. A choice between outputting as a number (e.g. decimal format for angles) or as formatting with a
fixed layout (e.g. ° ' '' for angles). What exactly is offered depends on the size. For right ascension,
for example, you can also choose between the output as hours (0-24) or degrees (0-360).

The Default button resets the setting back to the default value that Ephemeris Tool uses. Globally you
can achieve this with "Default for everything".

Change Global tab

Here you can uniformly change the format and the decimal places for related variables that are usually
output in a uniform format.

For example, you might want to specify that all right ascensions (at the current or a fixed equinox and
the topocentric right ascensions) are uniformly reported as xxhyymzz,zs, or that all angles of physical
ephemeris are reported as xxx,x°.

If you have changed the decimal places or the data format, an "Apply" button appears.
Your changes will not be used uniformly for the respective class of sizes until you click on them.

There are some ephemeris sizes that are not assigned to any group. Therefore, you cannot influence
them on this tab.

Options (Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F8)
Here you can set some defaults for the ephemeris calculation and filter settings for certain functions
make.

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Reference heights for sunrise/moonrise and twilight

Here you can enter for which heights below (or also above) the horizon the rise and set of the sun and
moon as well as the times for twilight should be calculated. Common are -50' for the sun, +8' for the moon,
-6, -12 and -18° for the twilight levels.

Sun and moon altitudes are expected in arc minutes, twilight degrees in degrees.

If you wish, you can also have an exact calculation for the parallax carried out at moonrise.
Otherwise, a standard value for the diameter of the lunar disc is assumed, which should generally be
sufficient for the accuracy required for sunrise and sunset.

Rise/set, occultations, conjunctions

The calculation of these phenomena requires a high numerical effort. It is therefore usually sensible to
carry them out with fast but less precise algorithms. Here you can set which calculation methods
Ephemeris Tool uses.

Precise calculation methods for sun and moon: If you want to calculate sunrise and sunset times for
the sun and moon in historical epochs, you should activate this option. In the present, the somewhat less
precise but very fast calculation methods that Ephemeris Tool uses by default are sufficient.

Never use the slow ELP2000 moon theory: Regardless of all other settings, this avoids ever using the
ELP2000, the most computationally intensive and slowest of all the theories used by Ephemeris Tool
(except for directly outputting an ephemeris table for the moon).

Fast calculation of conjunctions and events: If this option is activated, Ephemeris Tool uses less
precise but fast calculation methods in lengthy searches for conjunctions or ext
strap.

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Star occultations by the moon

Here you specify how the calculation of occultations should be carried out.

Limit size: enter the limit size up to which faint stars should still be taken into account.

Maximum sun elevation: occultations are only calculated when the sun is lower than given here.

Comprehensive Calculation: An additional, larger catalog is supplied with the full version of Ephemeris Tool.
If you tick this option, Ephemeris Tool will load this large catalog. However, this can delay the start of the
program on slow computers.

If the options are grayed out, the Ephemeris Tool is not set up to calculate occultations (a file containing stars
is missing from your Ephemeris Tool installation). The settings therefore do not apply to the occultation of
planets either. Such events are displayed regardless of the position of the sun and whether the planet is above
the horizon.

Object and Sun Elevation for Planetary Moon Appearances

Here you can filter the appearances of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn according to the position of the sun and
object height. You can use this to limit the tables of these events to those events where the planet's moons are
observable.

Object and sun height for conjunctions

Here you filter the tables with conjunctions according to the position of the sun and object height. You can thus
limit the tables of these events to those conjunctions where the smallest distance between the objects involved
is observable.

World

Geometric distance for the moon (only with ELP2000): If the Ephemeris Tool calculates the moon positions
according to the ELP2000 theory, you can specify here that the geometric distance to the moon is output in
moon ephemeris, not the distance the moon was at when the light was emitted ( i.e. about a second earlier).

Interpolate lunar coordinates: If you check this option, Ephemeris Tool will calculate the lunar coordinates
using a fast interpolation method in most cases. This procedure is computationally expensive itself and is not
worthwhile if you have a period of at least a month (or longer)
Calculate ephemeris at least one day apart. In this case you should deactivate this option. Otherwise the
interpolation is faster than the direct calculation, especially if the ELP2000 is used.

The interpolation makes the coordinates (when using the ELP2000) slightly less precise. This is not important
when using Brownian theory. You can influence the parameters of the interpolation within limits with "n" and
"Range (days)" . "n" indicates the degree of the polynomial used for interpolation, "range" the time span for
which an interpolation is applied. Beyond this period of time, a new polynomial must be calculated. You can call
up standard values with sufficient accuracy for polar coordinates (5 digits) and Cartesian coordinates (approx.
100 m accuracy) with the buttons.

Default values: this button resets the object and sun heights to default values

Azimuth from North: tells Ephemeris Tool to count azimuth values from North. In the south, the azimuth is
180. In astronomy, the azimuth is counted from the south, because this means that the azimuth and hour angle
are 0 at the same time.

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Include leading zeros when loading planetoids

If you activate this option, Ephemeris Tool left-justifies the numbering of the planetoids when loading them
from a file with orbital elements (if numbers are recognizable). "1 Ceres" then becomes "00001 Ceres".
This allows correct alphabetical sorting of the planetoids.

table options
Use the Settings|Spreadsheet Options command to set preferences for the spreadsheet. These settings
do not affect astronomical conditions.

Sheets in workbook: specify here how many blank sheets should be created when creating a new file.

Separator for *.csv export: Here you specify which character (; , .) should be used as field separator for
the export of files in *.csv format.

Number of recently opened files in the file menu: The last files edited are listed at the end of the file
menu. Here you specify how many this may be at most.

Configure clock bar (Ctrl+F10)

Here you can add or subtract zone times for any location from the clock bar. This allows you to expand
the clock bar to a world clock if required.

The currently used locations for the world clock are listed in the selection list. You can remove an entry by
double-clicking it. You can also do this by marking an entry and then pressing "Remove". With "Add" you
open the dialog for selecting the geographic location in order to add a new location to the list.

When Show Clocks is checked, the clock bar will appear. This is equivalent to the View|Clocks (F10)
command.

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Computational accuracy for the VSOP theories...

With Settings|Calculation accuracy for the VSOP theories... you call up a dialog in which you can make
settings for the use of the VSOP theories, separated according to the use of the theories in general ephemeris
calculation and for the numerical integration (at which does not depend on full accuracy for the disturbing
planets, but on fast calculation methods).

If you select anything other than "Full precision", the calculation will stop after a certain number of terms.

VSOP/ELP/Newcomb theories, ELP2000 lunar theory

With these or similar commands in the "Settings" menu, you can choose between slow but highly accurate
calculations of the planet positions according to the VSOP87 or the faster Newcomb series expansions, as
required. If the elp2000.dll is installed in the full version, the moon positions are also calculated more precisely
than according to the (abbreviated) Brownian theory.

If you have created databases with planet positions with the "Ephemeris Tool 2 Database Tool" and these are
located in the Ephemeris Tool working directory, then in addition to the newcomb and possibly
VSOP theories have the option "Read positions from file". This mode is particularly fast for numerical
integration and is almost as accurate as when using the VSOP87C theory directly.

"Use database for integration" appears if you have created the "pos.vsp" file with the Database tool. This file
contains data specially prepared for the numerical integration of asteroid and comet orbits. It is at least 12 MB
in size, but speeds up numerical integration significantly.

In addition, the "Computational accuracy for the VSOP theories..." menu option allows you to choose between
using the full, unabridged, or abridged theories. In the "Very low accuracy" setting, the calculation accuracy is
at least 1" in heliocentric length. The status vectors are at around 10^-5 AU
Exactly.

The calculation accuracy (and thus also the calculation speed) is set separately for normal ephemeris
calculation and use in numerical integration.

The respective status is also shown in the status bar.

Notes: In order to be able to carry out the calculation according to the VSOP87, one or more special versions
of the "vsop87x.dll's" with a size of more than one MB must be installed. Only the menu commands for those
calculation methods that are installed are displayed.

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Read positions from file

With this setting, Ephemeris Tool uses precalculated files (based on the VSOP87C) for the planetary positions.
These databases offer a compromise between high computational accuracy and high computational speed.
However, they are only valid for 2 or 3 centuries around the present.

Use database for integration

With this setting, Ephemeris Tool uses precomputed files (based on the VSOP87C) for calculating the planetary
positions in numerical integrations. These databases offer a compromise between high calculation accuracy and
high calculation speed. However, they are only valid for 2 or 3 centuries around the present.

Specify external program

Here you can specify a program that you want to start from Ephemeris Tool. The usual Windows file selection
dialog appears, with which you can search for the desired application on your hard drive.

You will usually specify an Excel-compatible spreadsheet as the external program because you can read the
Ephemeris Tool files directly into such programs. In principle, however, you can specify any program.

When you start the program for the first time, Ephemeris Tool automatically searches for Excel.exe. If it cannot find
the file, a notification is given. You can then go directly to this menu if you wish.

Set default directory...

This opens a dialog that you can use to specify a default directory for storing files.

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With "Show file list" you can also display the contents of the current directory. You can also start
Windows Explorer directly from the dialog.

Asteroid Databases Folder...

This will open a dialog that will allow you to specify the directory in which Ephemeris Tool will look for
the predicted asteroid databases. By default, Ephemeris Tool places these databases in the "Asteroids"
directory below the program directory during installation.

Folder with world database...

This opens a dialog that you can use to determine the directory in which Ephemeris Tool searches for
the database with around 2.6 million places worldwide. The database is called "cities.ved" and will be
installed in the ..\cities directory below the program directory if you selected this during the custom
installation of the full version.

Objects menu commands

Here you select data sets for those objects for which Ephemeris Tool should offer calculations.

The planets...

The "Objects|Planetoids" command opens the "Orbit elements for a Kepler ellipse" dialog box.

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There, the orbital elements for planetoids can be defined in two different ways:

1. Enter your own values

The following sizes are expected in the input fields:

1. Designation of the object.
2. The orbital elements a (gr. semi-axis in astr. units), e (numerical eccentricity), i (orbit inclination), node
(length of the ascending node), perihelion (argument of perihelion), M (mean anomaly to the epoch), n (daily
movement, if unknown the numerical value 0 suffices), equinox (year and decimals) of the orbital elements,
epoch (Julian date for which the mean anomaly is given) and vis (brightness parameter).

The angular quantities (i, knots, perihelion, M and n) are expected in ° with decimals.

2. "Objects" combo box and use of a file with track elements

In the "Objects" combo box, asteroids are offered for selection - sorted alphabetically. If Ephemeris Tool has
found a "planet.csv" file in the working directory of Ephemeris Tool, the planetoids in it are displayed in the
drop-down list. Otherwise, orbital elements are used for the first 20 numbered planetoids.

With "search for" you can search for any object in the file. If the option field "Only by beginning of word" is
selected, only the beginning of a word is searched for, which is relatively quick. Otherwise, the character
string is searched (slower) at every position in the object name. Then the search term "omene" finds
"Melpomene", for example.

The file currently in use is specified above the drop-down list.

"Open database with path elements..." button

If you have created your own files with orbital elements for planetoids, you can use the "Open file" button to
load such a file or a binary file in *.opl format from Ephemeris Tool.

In addition, the relevant files of the following common astronomy programs can be read in:

• HomePlanet,
• Lovell Observatory ASTORB database,
• Skymap
• MPC file format.

"Save database as..." button

Here you can save the currently used file with track elements in the following formats:

• im Ephemeris-Tool *.csv-Format,
• im Ephemeris-Tool Binärformat,
• im HomePlanet-Format,
• im Skymap-Format.

No Planetoid button

Pressing this button tells Ephemeris Tool no orbit elements for a planetoid
to calculate what (minimally) saves memory. The same effect occurs if you manually enter "No planetoid"
under "Object (name)".

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Write to Table with Header button

Provided that orbital elements have been entered for a planetoid, activate the Ephemeris Tool with this
button
1. close the dialog and accept the path elements,
2. delete the current table,
3. write a header with field names for track elements in the table,
4. Enter the track elements in the second line.

In this way, the planetoid dialog can be used as an input mask for orbit elements. When the track
elements are written to the table, they can be written from there to a valid file with track elements in the
Ephemeris tool format via File|Save as csv file....

Write to Table button

The track elements are appended to an existing table. The type of table is not checked. This command
only makes sense if a csv file with path elements has been opened or if an entry has already been
created using the "Write to table with header" button.

Copy from spreadsheet

If there are valid orbit elements for planetoids in the current worksheet, you can transfer them directly to
the dialog. To do this, enter the cell in the desired data record that contains the object name. You can
also click in the cell in the spreadsheet and click the From Active Cell button.

A valid record looks e.g. like this:

You can create datasets with the Integration|Railway File Data command.

"Web elements in the www" button

This will start your internet browser together with a URL (you can specify this in the editing field on the
right) that will provide you with current track elements.

comets...
The "Objects|Comets" command opens the "Orbit elements for a comet" dialog box.

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There, the orbital elements for planetoids can be defined in two different ways:

1. Enter your own values

The following sizes are expected in the input fields:

1. Designation of the object
2. The orbit elements q (perihelion distance in astr. units), e (numerical eccentricity), i (orbit inclination), node
(length of the ascending node), perihelion (argument of perihelion), equinox (year and decimals) of the orbit
elements, epoch ( Julian date) of the perihelion passage, the brightness parameters (vis and Hell.-
Param) and the epoch for which the oscillating orbital elements are valid.
The angular quantities (i, knots, perihelion, M and n) are expected in ° with decimals.

With the help of the buttons (...enter as a fraction of a day) the time of the perihelion passage can be entered
(as an alternative to the entry as a Julian date) in the format year/month/day with decimal places. The dialog
"Enter date with fraction of day" appears.

2. "Objects" combo box and use of a file with track elements

In the "Objects" combo box, comets are offered for selection - sorted alphabetically. If the Ephemeris Tool has
found a "comets.csv" file in the working directory of Ephemeris Tool, the comets in it are displayed in the
drop-down list. Otherwise a default (somewhat arbitrary) selection of comets is used.

With "search for" you can search for any object in the file. If the option field "Only by beginning of word" is
selected, only the beginning of a word is searched for, which is relatively quick. Otherwise, the character
string is searched (slower) at every position in the object name. Then the search term "lley" finds "Hal ley",
for example.

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The file currently in use is specified above the drop-down list.

"Open database with path elements..." button

If you have created your own files with orbital elements for comets, you can use the "File
open" load such a file or a binary file in *.oko format from Ephemeris Tool.

In addition, the relevant files of the following common astronomy programs can be read in:
• HomePlanet,
• Guide 6.0,
• Skymap,
• MPC file format.

"Save database as..." button

Here you can save the currently used file with track elements in the following formats:

• im Ephemeris-Tool *.csv-Format,
• im Ephemeris-Tool Binärformat,
• im HomePlanet-Format,
• im Guide 6.0-Format,
• im Skymap-Format,
• in the (obsolete) format that was used on the www pages of the VDS specialist group "Comets".

No Comet button

Pressing this button tells Ephemeris Tool not to calculate elements for a comet, which saves (minimal)
memory.

Write to Table with Header button

If orbital elements have been entered for a comet, use this button to initiate Ephemeris Tool

1. close the dialog and accept the path elements,

2. delete the current table,
3. write a header with field names for track elements in the table,
4. Enter the track elements in the second line.

In this way, the comet dialog can be used as an input mask for orbit elements. When the track elements are
written to the table, they can be written from there to a valid file with track elements in the Ephemeris tool
format via File|Save as csv file....

Write to Table button

The track elements are appended to an existing table. The type of table is not checked. This command only
makes sense if a csv file with path elements has been opened or if an entry has already been created using
the "Write to table with header" button.

Copy from spreadsheet

If there are valid orbit elements for comets in the current worksheet, you can transfer them directly to the
dialog. To do this, enter the cell in the desired data record that contains the object name. You can also click
in the cell in the spreadsheet with the mouse and then click the "From active cell" button.

A valid record looks e.g. like this:

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You can create datasets with the Integration|Railway File Data command.

"Web elements in the www" button

This will start your internet browser together with a URL (you can specify this in the editing field on the
right) that will provide you with current track elements.

Aus MEPC-Circular laden...

With this command you can load path elements directly from an electronic circular of the MPC. The circular
must be saved on your hard drive in htm(l) or txt format. You select the circular via the file selection dialog
“Load path elements from MPEC”.

Depending on whether the circular contains elements for planetoids or comets, one of the two dialogs for
entering the orbital elements of planetoids or comets opens. The elements are already entered there.

If the circular contains no path elements, an error message appears.

planetoid database

This command brings up the Select Planetoids dialog. You use it to select from the database with pre-
calculated, oscillating orbital elements which planetoids are included in the further calculations and which
are not. The selection takes effect in the options of the "Conjunctions and Events" menu, unless the use of
Kepler elements is selected there. This dialog can also be called up directly there.

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With Change path you specify where the databases can be found. By default, the "Astero ids" directory
below the Ephemeris Tool program directory is selected. If necessary, the databases are stored there
during the installation.

With "Reload" you read the files into the dialog. "Check database" checks whether the files are complete
and displayed correctly.

You can use the arrow buttons to move the used track element sets displayed in the lower part of the
window to the upper part, where the unused ones are listed. You can search for individual files.

If you select a data record in one of the two list windows, you will see the content (time span and table
increment) of the respective file in the dialog.

Satellites (Shift+Ctrl+S)
Use the "Objects|Satellites" command to open the "Satellites" dialog.

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Use the dialog to

1. select a satellite for the calculation. The currently loaded file is displayed above the list box with the
names of the available satellites. If no file is loaded, a sample record of the Russian “Mir” is used.

Click on an entry in the list or use the "Search for" input field to mark a satellite.

2. Load a *.tle file with NORAD two-line-elements ("Open file with line elements" button).
3. set certain options for calculating satellite positions:
a) You can specify for how many days before and after the epoch of the orbital elements positions
should still be calculated. Orbit elements for earth satellites "obsolete" relatively quickly, within a
few days or weeks.
b) Also determine the height of the sun (twilight) that must be fallen below in order to calculate satellite
positions. This mainly affects the procedure when searching for a visibility.

Important: Satellite ephemeris are calculated only from 1957 and only for a few decades in the future (whereby
Ephemeris Tool uses the current reading of your system clock).

Mutable...
The "Objects|Variables" command opens a dialog window in which a variable star can be selected for the
purpose of calculating the maximum/minimum times.

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Combo box "Objects"

In the "Objects" combo box, variable stars are offered for selection - sorted alphabetically. Unless Ephemeris
Tool has loaded a variable star file, the selection list is empty.

With "search for" you can search for any object in the file. If the option field "Only by beginning of word" is
selected, only the beginning of a word is searched for, which is relatively quick. Otherwise, the character string
is searched (slower) at every position in the object name.

Open file button

This button opens a file selection dialog. There you can load a variable star file other than the one you are
currently using.

Object button

Pressing this button tells Ephemeris Tool not to have a variable star ready for the calculation, which saves
(minimal) memory.

Custom Catalog...
This command in the "Objects" menu takes you to the "Custom Catalog" dialog. This dialog is the central
hub for managing custom catalogs in Ephemeris Tool. Once you have selected a catalog there, you can
then call up ephemeris for the objects it contains and calculate conjunctions with one or more objects from
the catalog.

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To load an existing catalog and thus select it for use in Ephemeris Tool, click the "Load catalog" button.
A file selection dialog appears in which you can specify the desired catalog file.

You can edit the currently used catalog. A click on the list view of the file content shows the respective
data record in the editor at the bottom of the dialog. Here you can edit the entry directly. You can also
“comment out” a record by prepending it with a colon (:).

Commenting in and out also works with a double-click.

You can delete an entry with the "Delete entry" button. You can also create a new entry (“Add entry”).

Finally, save the modified file using the "Save Catalog" button. If you don't want to use a catalog in
Ephemeris Tool, press the button "Do not use a catalog".

Ephemeris Menu Commands

With the commands in this menu you create ephemeris tables or data sheets. The commands work
similarly to macros in spreadsheets: the data is written to the current spreadsheet; existing data will be
overwritten.

Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto

With these commands in the Ephemeris menu, ephemeris tables of the major planets or the sun are
output directly on the current spreadsheet. Any existing data will be overwritten.

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The compilation and formatting of the data to be output is up to the user.

Depending on the scope and period of validity of a table, the calculation as well as the screen display can take
some time. In many cases, it therefore makes sense to reduce the selection of data displayed to the level
required at the moment.

Peculiarities when calculating a Plutoephemeris

Ephemeris Tool can only calculate a pluto ephemeris for a few centuries around the year 2000. The period is:

Using Newcomb's theory: 12/31/1899 to 12/31/2099.

If another calculation method is used: 01/01/1700 to 01/23/2100.

Outside the validity period, the commands for Plutoephemeris are not available. Pluto is ignored for numerical
integrations and all other calculations.

Mond|Ephemeride
This creates an ephemeris table of the moon, analogous to the Ephemeris|Sun...Pluto commands.

moon|star occultations
With the command "Ephemeris|Occultations|Occultations" you can calculate star occultations by the moon
calculate. The stars of the SAO catalog close to the ecliptic are taken into account. In the full version of
Ephemeris Tool you can also choose between two databases of different sizes

Before the calculation, a dialog appears in which you can specify the conditions under which the occultations
should be output.

Star occultations are only issued if

a) the moon is above the horizon,
b) the sun has fallen below a minimum height,
c) a fixed limit size for the stars has been exceeded.
The options for b) and c) can also be specified via "Settings|Options...".

In addition, you can search for occultations either for all near-ecliptic stars in the Ephemeris Tool database or
for just a specific star. If you do not select the "All Stars" check box, an input field appears in which you can
search for a star. Coverings are then sought for this one star.

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Moon|Planetary Occurrences

With the command "Ephemerides|Moon|Occupations of Planets" you can calculate occultations of planets
by the moon. Regardless of visibility (unlike in the case of occultations), all events of this type are reported,
even if the sun is above the horizon or the planet is below the horizon.

moon|moon phases

For the currently entered year, the times of new moon, first and last quarter as well as full moon are
calculated and output as a table on the currently active worksheet. Any existing data will be overwritten.

The times are given in the currently selected zone time (CET, CEST or other time zone).

Planetoid

With this option, freely configurable ephemeris tables of the currently valid set of orbital elements for a
planetoid are generated and output on the current spreadsheet. Any existing data will be overwritten.

The compilation and formatting of the data to be output is up to the user.

Depending on the scope and period of validity of a table, the calculation as well as the screen display can
take some time. In many cases, it therefore makes sense to reduce the selection of data displayed to the
level required at the moment.

The ephemeris generated are the results of a two-body calculation, with a perturbation calculation only
being taken into account for the earth position.

Note: If this menu item cannot be selected, a set of orbit elements must first be entered manually or
loaded from a file with orbit elements for planetoids!

Comet

With this option, freely configurable ephemeris tables of the currently valid set of orbital elements for a
comet are generated and output on the current spreadsheet. Any existing data will be overwritten.

The compilation and formatting of the data to be output is up to the user.

Depending on the scope and period of validity of a table, the calculation as well as the screen display can
take some time. In many cases, it therefore makes sense to reduce the selection of data displayed to the
level required at the moment.

The generated ephemeris are the results of a two-body calculation, whereby a perturbation calculation is
only taken into account for the earth position. Non-gravitational effects are also ignored.

Note: If this menu item cannot be selected, a set of orbital elements must first be entered manually or
loaded from a file with orbital elements for comets!

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Planetoids from database

Allows you to retrieve an ephemeris for a planetoid from the database of oscillating orbits for planetoids. This
allows you to generate a highly accurate ephemeris for the scope of the database without having to call for
numerical integration.

First the dialog “Select planetoid” appears. The selection list shows the databases currently provided for use
in the program. Select an object by clicking on it or search for an object using the "Search" input field.

If the asteroid you are looking for is not available for selection, you may need to change the current
configuration of the databases via Settings|Planetoid Databases.

If you confirm with OK, the planetoid ephemeris is then written to the active worksheet.

Variable Star
With this command in the "Ephemeris" menu, you create a table with minimum and maximum times of the
currently used variable star. If the command is not selectable, you must first select an object with Objects|
Variable....

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The type of data returned depends on the type of variable and on the current configuration (Settings|
Configure Tables).

User Catalog (Ctrl+ F4)

With this command from the Ephemeris menu you can call up the ephemeris of an object in the custom
catalog (stars or nebulae objects). First a dialog appears in which you enter the desired object in the
catalogue. Mark the object in the list field or enter a search term in the input field:

If you confirm with OK, the ephemeris will be created.

daily overview
This command from the "Ephemeris" menu opens a submenu. With the options there you call up a single
ephemeris for the currently used time for all objects of a class.

The selection of the sizes displayed is done in the same way as for the ephemeris tables for individual
planets (with the dialog for configuring tables). However, some sizes that are available there are not
displayed in the daily overview.

The daily overview is available for the following object classes:

planets

This function allows you to generate a quick reference table of the positions of the major planets (including
the sun and moon) for the datum currently in use.

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Planets/ Comets

With this command you call up an ephemeris for the currently set date for all planetoids or comets whose orbit
elements are loaded.

Orbit elements are loaded from a conveniently "tailored" file via Settings|Planetoids
or Settings|Comets. Ephemeris are output for all data records stored in the file. The file should therefore
contain exactly the objects that you need.

Depending on the size of the file, the calculation may take a long time on slow computers. You can cancel the
bill at any time.

Planetoids from database

With this command you create an ephemeris for the currently set date for all objects in the database with
oscillating orbit elements for planetoids. Within the scope of the database, you can use it to generate a highly
accurate daily ephemeris without having to call for numerical integration.

When you call up this function for the first time, the “Select planetoids” dialog appears first. Here you determine
which planetoid databases should be used for the calculation from those in the current directory for databases.
If you call this command again, the dialog does not appear. However, you can call it up at any time with
"Objects|Planetoid Database".

Then the daily ephemeris is calculated and output. You can cancel the calculation at any time.

user catalog

With this command you create a daily ephemeris for the currently set date for all objects in the user catalogue.
You can cancel the calculation at any time.

Jupitermonde
This command in the Ephemeris menu opens a submenu with the following options:

coordinates

This creates an ephemeris with the coordinates of the four Gallilean moons relative to Jupiter. The numerical
values are rectangular coordinates in units of the radius of Jupiter. Positive values correspond to western and
northern positions or positions "behind" the disk of Jupiter (in the case of the z-coordinate). Sizes marked “S”
represent the heliocentric view (as seen from the Sun). This allows eclipses and shadow transitions to be
calculated.

events

This calculates events such as occultations, eclipses, shadow crossings and transits.

conjunctions

The conjunctions of two moons with each other.

elongations/conjunctions

With this command in the Jupiter moons submenu you can calculate the maximum elongations or conjunctions
a moon with Jupiter. The Select Moon and Event dialog prompts you to select the moon and event.

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If you close the dialog with "OK", a table with the events within the current ephemeris period is written to the
active worksheet.

Saturnmonde
This command in the Ephemeris menu opens a submenu with the following options:

Coordinates: This creates an ephemeris with the coordinates of Saturn's brighter moons relative to Saturn.
The numerical values are rectangular coordinates in units of the radius of Saturn. Positive values correspond
to western and northern positions or positions "behind" Saturn's disk (in the case of the z-coordinate). Sizes
marked "S" represent the heliocentric view (as seen from the Sun). This allows eclipses and shadow
transitions to be calculated.

Events: This calculates events such as occultations, eclipses, shadow crossings, and transits
ge.

Conjunctions: The conjunctions of two moons with each other,

Elongations/Conjunctions: Upper/lower conjunctions and greatest elongations of the moons.

The values are approximations, without taking into account the elliptical shape of the orbit and the disturbances.
The error can be about 100 minutes for conjunctions of fast-moving moons. This at least achieves an accuracy
that corresponds to the usual position diagrams in yearbooks.

central meridian passage

This Ephemerides menu command calculates a table of central meridian crossings, or transit times of a
surface formation on Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. You first call up the "Transit Times of a Surface Feature"
dialog.

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Here you have the following options:

1. Select an object (or rotation system) by clicking on the desired radio button.
2. Enter the length of the object in the respective rotation system (in ° and decimals).
3. If required, enter a name for the object in the second edit field (e.g. "GRF" for the Great Red Spot on
Jupiter). This designation appears as a heading in the ephemeris table.
You can also load surface feature data files (Load from surface feature file button). These files must be
in a defined format and have the extension *.csv. When a file is successfully loaded, the drop down
combo boxes show the objects available for selection for the three planets (or 5 rotation systems).

You automatically select the object by marking it in the combo boxes. The values in the input fields (for
manual input, see above) are also changed accordingly.

The ephemeris table that is generated when you click OK gives the dates and times of the meridian
crossing of the selected surface feature. The period of the table is specified via "Time and location|Period
for table" (Ctrl+F8).

If you select "Cancel", any manual changes in the input fields will be discarded. However, a new loaded
file is still available.

Planetary occultations of stars

With the command "Ephemerides|Occupations by Planets" you can calculate occultations or close
conjunctions by the planets or the currently selected asteroid (based on its oscillating orbital elements).
The stars of the SAO catalog close to the ecliptic are taken into account. In the case of asteroids with
very high ecliptic latitudes, occultations may be missed in some distributions of Ephemeris Tool.

When you invoke the command, the "Object and options for occultations" dialog appears first.

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Here you select the planets and/or planetoid currently used by Ephemeris Tool (if a data set with oscillating
elements is loaded).

You can also choose the minimum size limit of the stars for which occultations are still to be searched.

The "Search only for conjunctions, not for occultations" check box allows you to save the time-consuming
calculation of occultations and only calculate the approximate time of the conjunction. In addition, the
minimum distance in declination between the star and the object is also output.

When you select a planetoid, you will be prompted to enter an (estimated) value for its diameter in km.
These values are stored program-internally for the planets. You can also limit the search for occultations
to one star. To do this, uncheck “All Stars”. An input field appears in which you can search for a star (close
to the ecliptic).

A table of close conjunctions in the currently valid table period is then output. If for the currently used
geogr. Where occlusion takes place, the entry and exit times are also given (unless you have excluded
the calculation of occlusions in the dialog, see above).

The search for an occultation by planetoids is fraught with uncertainty for a number of reasons. In any
case, you should also consult special software. Ephemeris Tool can only provide a first, rough orientation
for such events.

passages
This command in the Ephemeris menu opens a submenu. There you can calculate the passages of
Mercury and Venus in front of the sun disk. Mercury transits are rare events, Venus transits are extremely
rare events.

Transits of Mercury, Transits of Venus

This calculates the next pass after the currently set date. The local contact times for the currently set
geographic location are calculated.

Table with transits of Mercury and Venus

This calculates a table with all passages visible at the currently set geographic location for the currently
set ephemeris period. In addition to the date, the time of the (topocentric)
maximum of the event.

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window
This command in the Ephemeris menu opens a submenu. There you will find various options for calculating solar and lunar eclipses.

solar eclipse

The central line is displayed for the first solar eclipse that takes place after the currently valid date. The times are given in the
currently used zone time.

In addition, the local circumstances of the eclipse are calculated for the currently selected geographic location (if the eclipse is
observable there).

In order to find the next solar eclipse after the one currently displayed, the date used by the program must be set to a date after this
solar eclipse.

lunar eclipse

The command "Ephemeris|Lunar Eclipse" searches for the first lunar eclipse that occurs after the current date. Contact times are
given in the currently used zone time.

In order to find the next lunar eclipse after the one currently displayed, the date used by the program must be set to a date after this
lunar eclipse.

Solar eclipse calendar

With this command in the "Ephemeris|Eclipses" menu, you calculate a table with all solar eclipses for the currently set ephemeris
period. In addition, the local contact times are given for those eclipses that are visible at the currently set geographic location.

Here you can change the table period and apply filters for the type of eclipse.

Lunar Eclipse Calendar

With this command in the "Ephemeris|Eclipses" menu, you calculate a table with all lunar eclipses for the currently set ephemeris
period.

After calling the command, the “Search criteria” dialog appears first:

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Here you can change the table period and apply filters for the minimum moon height and the type of eclipse.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are always visible when the moon is above the horizon during the eclipse.

satellites
In order to be able to calculate the ephemeris of satellites, a corresponding file with orbital elements must be
loaded. Satellite ephemeris are also calculated only from 1957 and for a few decades in the future (whereby
Ephemeris Tool uses the current reading of your system clock).

If these requirements are met, the following options are available in a submenu with the command
"Ephemeris|Satellites":

Satellite (Ctrl+F7)

This Ephemeris menu command calculates the ephemeris for a single Earth satellite.
This is the satellite currently selected in the "Satellites" dialog. The ephemeris moves within the current
ephemeris period as far as the orbital elements of the satellite are valid in this period.

All Satellites (Shift+F7)

With this command you call up an ephemeris for the currently set date for all earth satellites in the currently
used *.tle file. If you want to limit the calculation to a subset of the satellites contained in the file, you must
edit the *.tle file in an editor and remove the entries you do not want.

Depending on the size of the file, the calculation may take a long time on slow computers. You can cancel
the bill at any time.

seasons
The "Ephemeris|Seasons" command prints the times of the seasons of the current year (set using the "Time
and Location" menu commands).

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VSOP-Tools

With this command in the "Ephemeris" menu, you open a submenu with commands that enable the
calculation of status vectors or orbital elements according to the VSOP planetary theory. Which of the
menu options are available depends on which additional dlls with planetary theories are installed. The
additional dlls are only available in the full version.

Status Vector VSOP87A and Status Vector VSOP87D

This calculates a helizocentric status vector of the major planets (also for Pluto with limited time) for the
currently used date. The status vector is output in different coordinate systems.

Track elements according to VSOP87

This command creates a set of orbit elements for the major planets and - limited in time - Pluto.
The orbit elements are oscillating for the currently used date and time.

The orbit elements are generated based on the VSOP-87 theory.

Integration Menu Commands

With the commands in this menu you can generate ephemeris for planetoids or comets, taking into account
the perturbations from the major planets, or calculate the state of a system from any past or future status
vectors by numerical integration.

Planetoid orbit, comet orbit

With these options from the "Integration" menu, freely configurable ephemeris tables of the currently valid
set of orbital elements for a planetoid or comet are generated and output on the current spreadsheet. Any
existing data will be overwritten.

The ephemeris is generated by numerical integration. The orbital disturbances caused by the large planets
are taken into account. The compilation and formatting of the data to be output is up to the user.

Depending on the scope and period of validity of a table and the distance to the osculation epoch of the
orbital element data set, the calculation and the screen display can take some time. It therefore makes
sense in many cases to reduce the selection of data displayed to the extent required at the moment.

The ephemeris generated are the results of a two-body calculation, with a perturbation calculation only
being taken into account for the earth position.

Hints:

1. If this menu item cannot be selected, a set of track elements must first be entered manually
or loaded from a file with orbit elements for planetoids or comets!
2. In addition to positions (ephemeris), you can also calculate oscillating orbital elements for future or past
epochs. They are output if you configure the tables accordingly.

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Below the Planets, below the Comet

With this command you call up a numerically integrated ephemeris for the currently set date for all planetoids and comets
whose orbital elements are loaded.

You can load orbital elements with planetoids or comets from a suitably "tailor-made" file
via Settings|Planetoids or Settings|Comets. Ephemeris are output for all data records stored in the file. Depending on the size of
the file and the time difference to the respective oscillation epochs, the calculation may take a long time. You can cancel the bill
at any time.

This function is useful, for example, to integrate a file with orbit elements for a new oscillation epoch. To do this, restrict the
ephemeris table to the output of orbital elements (ideally by pressing the appropriate template button in the table configuration
dialog).

Data for orbit file

This command from the "Integration" menu is available when orbit elements of planetoids or comets are loaded. This opens a
submenu with the following options:

Of the planets

With this command from the "Integration|Data for orbital element file" menu, you create an ephemeris with numerically integrated
orbital elements for the currently loaded planetoid. The oscillating epochs are calculated for the time span and table distances
that you specified with Time and location|Period for table (Ctrl+F8).

The new path elements are written to the active spreadsheet in exactly the format that the path element files of Ephemeris Tool
expect.

If you then save the spreadsheet with File|Save as csv file..., you will receive a file that you can immediately read in again with
the Ephemeris Tool.

In this way you can very quickly convert outdated orbit elements to new osculation epochs.

Create planetoid database

With this command from the menu "Integration|Data for orbit elements file" you generate the raw data for building a database
with oscillating orbit elements for planetoids.

The “Select target directory” dialog appears first. Here you enter an existing folder or a folder to be created on your hard disk in
which the raw data for future databases should be stored.

If you confirm with "OK", the *csv files will then be generated. In this case, orbit elements for the currently used ephemeris
period and ephemeris interval are generated for all plane toids that are contained in the respectively loaded file with orbit
elements. You can interrupt the calculation process at any time.

After completing the calculations, Ephemeris Tool writes a log to the current worksheet. The raw data can be found in the
directory given at the beginning.

In order to make a selection of the asteroids to be calculated, you must edit the file with orbital elements used with an editor in
such a way that only the desired objects are contained in it.

See also:

Create databases with oscillating orbital elements of planetoids

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Railway elements database tool

comets

With this command from the menu "Integration|Data for orbit elements file" you create an ephemeris with numerically
integrated orbit elements for the currently loaded comet. The oscillating epochs are calculated for the time span and
table distances that you specified with Time and location|Period for table (Ctrl+F8).

The new path elements are written to the active worksheet in exactly the format that the path element files of
Ephemeris Tool expect.

If you then save the spreadsheet with File|Save as csv file..., you will receive a file that you can immediately read in
again with the Ephemeris Tool.

In this way you can very quickly convert outdated orbit elements to new osculation epochs.

Below the Planets, below the Comet

With this command from the "Integration|Data for orbit elements file" menu, you create an ephemeris with numerically
integrated, oscillating orbit elements for all objects in the currently loaded file with orbit elements for planetoids or
comets. for the currently used date.

The new orbit elements are written to the active spreadsheet in exactly the same format that the orbit element files
for planetoids and comets expect.

If you then save the spreadsheet with File|Save as csv file..., you will receive a file that you can immediately read in
again with the Ephemeris Tool.

In this way you can very quickly convert old orbit element files to new oscillation epochs.

Calculation method (Alt+F11)

With the commands "Integration|Calculation Methods" and "Tools|Orbit Determination|Calculation Methods" you call
up the "Numerical Integration for Ephemeris and Orbit Improvement" dialog. Here you can select the calculation
method for the numerical integration (Adams multi-step method, quite accurate, or Runge-Kutta method, rather fast).

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The precision (number of digits) can also be adjusted for the Adams multi-step method. The numerical
integration of planetoid or comet orbits is extremely computationally intensive. On older computer systems,
integration with 12- to 14-digit precision can become excruciatingly slow. To enable a compromise between
accuracy and computing speed, you can set the number of decimal places that are taken into account
during integration.

The command Integration|Accuracy is used for this. This opens a dialog in which you can specify the
decimal places between 8 and 18. Default is 10 digits.

For integrations over longer periods of time, 12 decimal places is recommended. The actual arithmetic
accuracy is likely to be 2 to 3 digits worse (rounding error!).

In this dialog you can also specify that with numerically integrated comet and planetoid orbits the positions
of the interfering planets should always be calculated according to the Newcomb theory (which is
implemented very quickly), even if a VSOP theory was generally selected as the calculation method .

Under Interfering Planets... you can select those planets that will be considered in numerical integrations
of planetoid or comet orbits and in orbit improvement.

Initial Conditions (Ctrl+F11)

This brings up the Current Used Initial Values for Numerical Integration dialog. There you can enter the
starting values for a numerical integration manually. After each integration, the dialog shows the current
values of the status vector.

The following inputs are expected:

1. the components of the position (x, y, z) and velocity vectors (vx, vy, vz) as Cartesian coordinates
(Length unit 1 AE or 1 AE/day) as well as an object designation

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2. the masses of bodies as solar mass/mass. Massless bodies are given the number 0 (don't worry, the
division solar mass/0 doesn't happen!)
3. The number of bodies can be set from 2 to 14.
4. JD: Julian datum of coordinates
5. Equinox (JD): Equinox of the coordinates (standard epochs have their own buttons)
6. "Reduce coordinates to body 1 after each iteration" check box: shifts the origin of the coordinate system
to body 1 after each calculation step (in the solar system: "heliocentric" coordinates).
7. "Reset" button: uses the original values from the underlying file again (only if the Runge-Kutta method
was selected, otherwise the original status vector is always used again).
8. Open File button: corresponds to the Integration|Open File menu command.
9. "Save File" button: corresponds to the menu command Integration|Save File As...
Conveniently, in the case of the solar system, body 1 should be understood as the "sun". The set of
coordinates is then: Sun;0;0;0;0;0;0;1 (1 stands for 1 solar mass).

Format Output (Shift+F11)

This command in the "Integration" menu opens the "Output Format for Numerical Integration" dialog.
There you specify which objects from the currently used status vector are to be taken into account in the
output, in which coordinate system and format the results are to be displayed.

The following inputs are expected:

Select objects for output

All bodies currently considered for integration are listed here. Mark the bodies for which values are to be
output (all bodies will be calculated!). Since the output on the spreadsheet takes up a lot of computing time,
a calculation runs faster overall if you only output the values for the objects that are of interest to you.

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format output

Output form: if you select path elements, you will receive oscillating path elements for the selected bodies for the
respective integration steps. You control the output of the path elements themselves under Settings|Configure
Tables. If you choose Coordinates, you can change the settings described below that affect how the coordinates
are displayed.

Important: in order for the ecliptical orbit elements to be calculated correctly, the initial coordinates must be given in
the equatorial system!

Coordinate type: Choose between Cartesian location and speed coordinates or their conversion into the usual
polar coordinates. In any case, the output coordinates are "geometric" - uncorrected for aberration and time-of-flight
effects! They should not be confused with the ephemeris commonly found in yearbooks!

Reference system: select the representation in the equator or ecliptic system.

Important: the starting values for integrations are expected as equatorial coordinates. If necessary, they are to be converted
into the equatorial system.

Origin: "Heliocentric" reduces the coordinates to the 1st body - it should then conveniently be the sun.

"Planetocentric" reduces the coordinates to the body that can be selected in the "Planetocentric coordinates for"
combo box. "Planetocentric" does not automatically mean "geocentric"!

Also output civil date: if this option is not checked, only the Julian date is output, otherwise both.

Output status vector at the end: If you mark this option, the new status vector is output at the end of a numerically
integrated ephemeris.

step size and repetitions

This is only visible if the Runge-Kutta method has been chosen for integration, otherwise the period for the integrated
ephemeris is determined as usual.

Increment: enter the (positive or negative) increment in days (also with decimals, i.e. 0.5 or 0.1). Caution: By
changing the step size, you have a direct influence on the calculation accuracy and the course of the iteration. The
increment should be a maximum of 0.5 days for calculations of the inner planets, and even less for Mercury. "Large"
increments (2-5 days) are also suitable for "slow" bodies.

Repetitions: enter the number of calculation steps here. Number*Increment gives the period of the iteration in
days. The starting value (as a Julian date) is determined by the currently used set of coordinates.

Output at each ... step: Here you can influence the extent to which calculation steps are only executed but not
displayed. Limiting the output makes sense simply because the output routine is at least as time-consuming as the
calculation itself.

All settings in the dialog may be saved in configuration files.

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Tip: Receive different outputs for the same integration period

To repeat a specific calculation with changed outputs, call up the dialog for entering the initial values via Integration|Initial Conditions.
Press the "Reset" button and then "OK". It is advisable to save the previous results and create a new spreadsheet for the following
calculations (not necessarily a new file!).

Then switch to the new, still empty spreadsheet. Now restart the integration (the quickest way is to use the shortcut F11).

Output status vector

You can use the “Integration|Output Status Vector” command to have the currently used status vector written to a spreadsheet. If
required, it can be exported from there to a *.csv file.

Read status vector from table (Ctrl+Shift+F11)

With the command "Integration|Read status vector from table" you can read in a status vector from the active spreadsheet for further
use. If the command is executed successfully, the dialog “Currently used initial values for numerical integration” appears.

In order for a status vector to be recognized, it must have the following header:

:object name x and

With vx you vz 1/m JED Equinox JED

Ephemeris Tool automatically writes this header when it emits a state vector. Of course, the following numerical values must also be
filled out correctly and completely.

Integrate (F11)
This starts the integration of the n-body system specified in "Initial Conditions...". You can influence the formatting of the subsequently
output table via "Format output". After the end of the calculation, the n-field system is of course in a new state. However, you can
restore it to its original state –
same as after opening or last save - reset (via the Reset button in the "Initial Conditions" dialog).

Open file...

With this command you call up a standard Windows file selection dialog. Here you can load a *.csv file with starting values for
numerical integration.

You can influence the state of the multibody system via “Integration|Initial Conditions”.

Save file as...

With this command you save the state of the currently used multibody system in a *.csv file. A standard Windows dialog appears for
assigning a file name.

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conjunctions and events

Find Event... (Ctrl+F3)

The Conjunctions and Events|Find Event command brings up the Find Event dialog box.
There you can search for the planets, sun and moon as well as the currently used planetoid or comet
search for extreme values of distances or angles.

select object

Mark the object for which you want to search for an extremum. The Planetoid and Comet options are only
available when using Ephemeris Tool orbit elements for these objects.

If the "Use Kepler Elements" option is checked, Ephemeris Tool uses the object you specify with "Objects|
Planetoids". The calculation based on the oscillating orbital elements is only accurate for a few weeks
around the oscillating epoch. If you deselect "Use Kepler Elements" , the planetoids from the database
with oscillating orbital elements are available for selection. This results in very precise calculations for the
entire validity period of the respective database.

"Select" takes you either to the dialog for managing Kepler elements for planetoids, for comets or to the
dialog for selecting planetoids from the database.

The planetoid currently in use is listed below the Use Kepler Elements radio button.

select event

Depending on the object, you can select different extrema under "Select event".

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Search period and interval

Here you set how and for what period of time events are to be searched for:

Distance for interpolation: To search for events, ephemeris tables must be created within the program. This
option sets the increment of these tables (in days with decimal fractions of days). A smaller value gives a higher
accuracy for the time of a found event. A higher value allows a faster search and a search over a longer period of
time. Note: If the moon is selected as the object, the step size in the dialog is ignored and a default value is used.

Retries: Here the maximum number of attempts is determined before the search for an event is aborted. This
value, multiplied by the value "distance for interpolation" results in the maximum length of the search period in
days.

The Defaults button resets the Interpolation Distance and Search Period/Interval values to default values. For
lunar orbit events, the values set in the dialog are ignored and replaced by internal algorithms.

Use ephemeris period

This toggles between two different search modes:

If you activate the option , a search is made for all events that lie within the currently set table period. If there is
no event in this period of time, at least the first event after that is found. You can change the search period
directly from the dialog using the "Change period" button.

If you disable the Use Ephemeris Period option , only one event will be found, namely the earliest event after the
currently used date. The "Event found" dialog box then appears (see below). There you influence whether you

• want to find several events for the same object,

• keep the search date and search for the next events for other objects,
• want to accept the date of the event found for the further search.
If the search was unsuccessful, a corresponding error message appears.

The search progress is continuously displayed. The search can be aborted at any time with the End search
button.

"Results in table" check box

If this option is activated, after closing the dialog (unless you close with "Cancel" or "ESC"), all events found are
written to an ephemeris table in the exact order in which the events were searched for and found . If an event is
not to be saved in the meantime, the check box can also be deactivated and then activated again.

All events found appear in the list on the right side of the dialog. You can delete an individual event with the
"Remove" button or by double-clicking on an entry. With "Delete" the entire list is emptied.
When the dialog is closed, only those events that are listed in the dialog at the end are written to the active
worksheet.

If the dialog is closed with "Close", the selected objects and user-defined settings are saved and used again the
next time the dialog is opened. The settings are also stored in configuration files.

If the ephemeris period or the current start date has been changed in the dialog, a "Close and use date" button
appears. This accepts the new date throughout the program.

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Events for multiple objects... (Shift+Ctrl+Alt+F3)

With the command "Conjunctions and Events|Find Event" you call up a dialog box that makes it possible to find
events for several asteroids or comets. In this way you can e.g. B. Find out which planetoids will pass through
opposition in the near future.

Select object and data source

Here you determine which planetoids and comets should be considered for the search for events.
To do this, files with orbital elements via Objects|Planetoids or Objects|Comets must be loaded. For planetoids
you can also use the databases with oscillating orbital elements. To do this, you must deselect the Kepler
elements for planetoids option.

The "Select" buttons open the "Select File Range" dialog (see below). There you determine which areas from
the files with orbit elements are to be included in the search for events. If you use the databases with oscillating
orbit elements for the planetoids, the dialog "Select planetoids" appears instead.

select event

Depending on the object, you can select different extrema under "Select event".

Search period and interval

Here you set how and for what period of time events are to be searched for:

Distance for interpolation: To search for events, ephemeris tables must be created within the program. This
option sets the increment of these tables (in days with decimal fractions of days). A smaller value gives a higher
accuracy for the time of a found event. A higher value allows a faster search and a search over a longer period
of time. Note: If the moon is selected as the object, the step size in the dialog is ignored and a default value is
used.

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Retries: Here the maximum number of attempts is determined before the search for an event is aborted. This
value, multiplied by the value "distance for interpolation" results in the maximum length of the search period in
days.

The Defaults button resets the Interpolation Distance and Search Period/Interval values to default values.

If you press the "Search" button, Ephemeris Tool will find all events that are within the currently set table period.
You can change the search period directly from the dialog using the "Change period" button.

The search progress is continuously displayed. The search can be canceled at any time. If the search was
unsuccessful, a corresponding error message appears.

All events found appear in the list on the right side of the dialog. You can delete an individual event with the
"Remove" button or by double-clicking on an entry. With "Delete" the entire list is emptied.
When the dialog is closed, only those events that are listed in the dialog at the end are written to the active
worksheet.

"Results in table" check box

If this option is activated, after closing the dialog (unless you close with "Cancel" or "ESC"), all events found are
written to an ephemeris table in the exact order in which the events were searched for and found . If an event is
not to be saved in the meantime, the check box can also be deactivated and then activated again.

If the dialog is closed with "Close", the selected objects and user-defined settings are saved and used again the
next time the dialog is opened. The settings are also stored in configuration files.

Conjunctions... (Shift+F3)

The Conjunctions and Events|Find Event command brings up the Find Conjunctions dialog box. There you can
for the planets, sun and moon as well as - if used by the program at the moment -
planetoids or comets looking for conjunctions with their own kind or stars close to the ecliptic.

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The search is logged in the list on the right edge of the window. You can delete the entire list or
individual entries (buttons "Remove", "Delete" or double-click on the list entries). If you select the
"Create table" option, the conjunctions in the list will be written to the active worksheet after the dialog
is closed.

select objects

Under "First object" and "Second object" select the two bodies whose conjunction you want to find.

Star: Enter the desired star (from the catalog of stars close to the ecliptic, which is also used for
occultations).

Use Kepler Elements: When this option is checked, Ephemeris Tool uses the object you specify with
Objects|Planetoids. The calculation based on the oscillating orbital elements is only accurate for a few
weeks around the oscillating epoch. If you deselect "Use Kepler elements", the planetoids from the
database with oscillating orbital elements are available for selection. This results in very precise
calculations for the entire validity period of the respective database.

With "Change planetoid" you either get to the dialog for managing Kepler elements for planetoids
or in the dialog for selecting planetoids from the database.

User catalog: This brings up the "Select object from user catalog" dialog. Here you select the desired
object from the currently loaded user-defined catalog. Select the desired entry in the object list or use
the "Search for" input field.

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Search period and interval

Distance for two iterations: For the search for conjunctions, ephemeris tables must be created within the program.
This option sets the increment of these tables (in days with decimal fractions of days). A smaller value gives a higher
accuracy for the time of a found event. A higher value allows a faster search and a search over a longer period of time.
Note: If the moon is selected as the object, the step size in the dialog is ignored and a default value is used.

Retries: Here the maximum number of attempts is determined before the search for a conjunction is aborted. This
value, multiplied by the value "distance for interpolation" results in the maximum length of the search period in days.

Topocentric values: If this option is selected, the position of the moon in particular is calculated as it appears at the
currently selected location. Otherwise, the geocentric tenses of the conjunctions
(in relation to the center of the earth) calculated.

Only conjunctions closer than...: This allows you to filter the conjunctions according to the (topocentric or geocentric)
minimum distance between the two objects.

Use ephemeris period

This toggles between two different search modes. If you activate the option, all events that are within the currently set
table period will be searched for. You can change the search period directly from the dialog using the "Change period"
button.

On the other hand, if you disable the “Use ephemeris period” option, only one event will be found, namely the earliest
event after the currently used date. The Event Found dialog box appears. There you influence whether you

• want to find several events for the same object,

• keep the search date and search for the next events for other objects,
• want to accept the date of the event found for the further search.
If the search was unsuccessful, a corresponding error message appears.

The search progress is continuously displayed. The search can be aborted at any time with the End search button.

Change Filter button

This brings up the Options dialog. There you can filter conjunctions for minimum object heights and maximum sun
heights.

Selection box "Which conjunctions are you looking for?"

Here you determine whether conjunctions are to be searched for in right ascension or in ecliptic longitude. You can also
determine the points in time of the smallest angular distance between two bodies. These do not necessarily have to be
in conjunction, not even close in time.

Note: Conjunctions with the Sun are found using Find Event.

Conjunctions for object lists... (Alt+F3)

This command from the Conjunctions and Events menu opens the Create List of Conjunctions dialog box. It allows
you to find conjunctions for any list of planetoids, comets, and objects in the custom catalog. With this you can e.g. B.
calculate when there are close encounters of a bright planetoid with stars.

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The search is logged in the "Search results" list on the right-hand side of the window. You can delete the
entire list or individual entries (buttons "Remove", "Delete" or double-click on the list entries).
If you close the dialog with "OK", the conjunctions in the list will be written to the active worksheet after the
dialog is closed.

List of all conjunctions with...

Check "Planetoids" here if you want to use the planetoids from the currently used file with orbit elements for
planetoids.

Check "Comets" if you want to use conjunctions with comets from the currently used file with orbit elements
for planetoids.

If you check "Planetoid Database", the planetoids from the database with oscillating orbit elements will be
used. The calculation is then very accurate within the period of validity of the databases.

filespaces

Use the "Select" button to open the "Select file area" dialog. There you determine which areas from the files
with orbital elements for planetoids, comets and the user-defined catalog should be considered for the
search for conjunctions. If you use the databases with oscillating orbit elements for the planetoids, the
"Select planetoids" dialog appears instead.

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limits

Here you set the limit sizes for the stars from the user-defined catalog and the moving objects (planetoids,
comets). Weaker objects are not considered when searching for conjunctions.

Topocentric coordinates

If this option is selected, the positions of the planetoids and comets in particular are calculated as they appear
at the currently selected location. Otherwise, the times of the conjunctions are calculated for the geocentric
position (i.e. for an imaginary observer in the center of the earth).

Only conjunctions closer than...

This allows you to filter the conjunctions based on the (topocentric or geocentric) minimum distance between the two
objects.

Distance for between two iterations

To search for conjunctions, ephemeris tables must be created within the program. This option sets the
increment of these tables (in days with decimal fractions of days). A smaller value gives a higher accuracy for
the time of a found event. A higher value allows a faster search and a search over a longer period of time.
Note: If the moon is selected as the object, the step size in the dialog is ignored and a default value is used.

If you activate the option, a search is made for all events that lie within the currently set table period.

Change Filter button

This brings up the Options dialog. There you can filter conjunctions for minimum object heights and maximum
sun heights.

Selection box "Which conjunctions are you looking for?"

Here you determine whether conjunctions are to be searched for in right ascension or in ecliptic longitude.
You can also determine the points in time of the smallest angular distance between two bodies. These do not
necessarily have to be in conjunction, not even close in time.

Start the search with Search . You can interrupt the sometimes very tedious calculation at any time.

Planets and Stars... (Ctrl+Alt+F3)

This command from the Conjunctions and Events| call the Conjunctions of Planets with Custom Objects dialog
box. This allows you to calculate conjunctions of the sun, moon and planets using lists of objects from the
currently loaded custom catalog.

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The conjunctions found are listed under "Search results" on the right-hand side of the window. You
can delete the entire list or individual entries (buttons "Remove", "Delete" or double-click on the list
entries). If you close the dialog with "OK", the conjunctions in the list will be written to the active
worksheet after the dialog is closed.

List of all conjunctions with

Here you select the object whose conjunctions you want to find with the objects in the user-defined
catalog.

filespaces

The "Select" button opens the "Select file area" dialog. There you determine which areas from the
custom catalog should be considered for the search for conjunctions.

limits

Here you set the limit sizes for the stars from the user-defined catalog and the moving objects
(planetoids, comets). Weaker objects are not considered when searching for conjunctions.

Only conjunctions closer than...

This allows you to filter the conjunctions based on the (topocentric or geocentric) minimum distance between the two
objects.

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Topocentric Values

If this option is selected, the position of the moon in particular is calculated as it appears at the currently
selected location. Otherwise, the conjunctions are given for geocentric positions (i.e. related to the center of
the earth).

Distance between two iterations

To search for conjunctions, ephemeris tables must be created within the program. This option sets the
increment of these tables (in days with decimal fractions of days). A smaller value gives a higher accuracy for
the time of a found event. A higher value allows a faster search and a search over a longer period of time.
Note: If the moon is selected as the object, the step size in the dialog is ignored and a default value is used.

Change Filter button

This brings up the Options dialog. There you can filter conjunctions for minimum object heights and maximum
sun heights.

Selection box "Which conjunctions are you looking for?"

Here you determine whether conjunctions are to be searched for in right ascension or in ecliptic longitude.
You can also determine the points in time of the smallest angular distance between two bodies. These do not
necessarily have to be in conjunction, not even close in time.

Start the search with Search . You can cancel the potentially tedious calculation at any time.

Almanac (Shift+F9)

This command from the "Conjunctions and Events" menu creates a table with conjunctions between the sun,
moon and planets as well as events (extremes, eclipses, phases of the moon, etc.). The "Configure Almanac"
dialog appears:

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Here you can exclude objects and events from the calculation of the almanac.

select objects

Specify here which of the planets should be included in the calculation.

choose events

Here you determine which events are included in the almanac. Conjunctions between the objects are always calculated.

Conjunctions Topocentric

If this option is selected, the position of the moon in particular is calculated as it appears at the currently selected location.
Otherwise, geocentric times of the conjunctions (i.e. related to the center of the earth) are calculated.

conjunctions in length

Check this option if you want the conjunction times to be calculated in ecliptic longitude rather than right ascension.

If you close the dialog with "Create almanac", Ephemeris Tool then calculates the events and constellations for the currently
used table period and writes them to the active worksheet.
You can cancel the usually lengthy calculation at any time. With "Close" you end the dialog without creating the almanac.
However, the changes you made in the dialog are retained.

Today (Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F9)

This creates a table of conjunctions and events of the sun, moon and planets for the current date. In addition, moon phases,
seasons, eclipses and the like are pointed out.

angular distances

With this command you create an ephemeris with the angular distances between two objects. As always, you specify the
period and table spacing of the ephemeris with Time/Location|Period for Table (Ctrl+F8).
You first calculate the angular distances with the "Calculate angular distances" dialog, if necessary for different combinations
of objects one after the other. With "Close" you then tell Ephemeris Tool to write the results to the current worksheet.

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The calculation results are listed in the list on the right edge of the window. You can delete the entire list
or individual entries (buttons "Remove", "Delete" or double-click on the list entries).

select objects

Under "First object" and "Second object" select the two bodies whose angular distances you want to
calculate.

Star: Enter the desired star (from the catalog of stars close to the ecliptic, which is also used for
occultations).

Use Kepler Elements: When this option is checked, Ephemeris Tool uses the object you specify with
Objects|Planetoids. The calculation based on the oscillating orbital elements is only accurate for a few
weeks around the oscillating epoch. If you deselect "Use Kepler elements", the planetoids from the
database with oscillating orbital elements are available for selection. This results in very precise
calculations for the entire validity period of the respective database.

" Change planetoid" takes you either to the dialog for managing Kepler elements for planetoids or to
the dialog for selecting planetoids from the database.

User catalog: This brings up the "Select object from user catalog" dialog. Here you select the desired
object from the currently loaded user-defined catalog. Select the desired entry in the object list or use
the "Search for" input field.

Topocentric coordinates: If this option is selected, the position of the moon in particular is calculated
as it appears at the currently selected location. Otherwise angular distances are calculated for the
geocentric positions of the objects.

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Start calculating the angular distances with the "Calculate" button. You can interrupt the calculation at
any time. After completing a calculation you can change the settings in the dialog and calculate a new
ephemeris, which is then added to the result list.

Event Found dialog box

This dialog appears when you have searched for a conjunction or an event and had deactivated the
"Use table period" option.

The event data is displayed here. The rest of the search depends on how you end the dialog:

• With "Continue to use date" you close the dialog and set the date to that of the event.
You can then e.g. For example, events or conjunctions can be found for other objects after the last
event found.
• With "Again" you search for further events and conjunctions for the same object after which
Date of the last event found.
• With "Close" you end the search without changing the date. You can then search for events or
conjunctions for other objects according to the starting date used for the search.

Select File Range dialog box

With this dialog you determine which areas from a file with orbital elements for planetoids or comets
are to be used for further calculations.

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All objects in the file are listed in the list box on the left. You can mark the desired file area in the list
box with the mouse or the keyboard, or specify the first or last desired object using the number (input
fields "From" ... "To"). You can use the "Search" input field to search for objects in the file. If you do not
check "Search immediately", you must start the search with the "Search" button.

If you close the dialog with "OK", you transfer the new selection to the higher-level dialog.

Tools menu commands

Sun, Mercury... Pluto, Moon

These commands call up a single ephemeris for the sun, the planets, and the moon. The "Ephemeris
for..." dialog appears:

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The data refer to the currently valid date and location.

In addition to the apparent coordinates at the current equinox, the topocentric coordinates and the coordinates at
the mean equinox J2000, the ecliptical coordinates (heliocentric-astrometric and ekliptical-apparent) for the current
equinox are given. In addition, there are the physical ephemeris and information about visibility (rise and set,
culmination, altitude, azimuth and hour angle).

The angles and times are specified as standard in ° ` `` or h,mmss. Only the elevation and azimuth values and the
physical ephemeris are displayed in degrees and decimal place(s). The values for rising, setting and culmination
are given in h:mm, the information about the size of the planetary discs in arc seconds and decimal places (in the
case of the sun and moon in ` and ``).

A single ephemeris for Pluto is only possible within a few centuries of the present.

planetoid or comet

The "Tools|Planetoid" or "Tools|Comet" command displays a daily ephemeris for the currently loaded set of
oscillating orbit elements for a planetoid or comet. The path elements either come from a file or have been entered
manually. To do this, use the Settings|Planetoids or Comets command.

In contrast to the ephemeris for the major planets, the data presented are the results of a calculation based on
the two-body problem. The calculation accuracy depends directly on the validity of the oscillating orbit elements
used.
If no track element set is loaded, this menu option cannot be selected.

Earth satellites... (F7)

With Tools|Earth Satellites you call up the "Satellites" dialog:

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Use this dialog to

1. Select a satellite from the list box. Its position and visibility are shown in the dialog box
placed.
2. Search the nearest visibility of the selected satellite. Visibility is considered present when the satellite is
above the horizon, not in the Earth's shadow, and the Sun's altitude is within what you specified in
Settings|Satellites. A search can be canceled at any time.

3. With the buttons "Time Step Back" and „... forward" the current used time in 10 - seconds -
to change steps. This allows you to track whether a satellite's visibility is getting better or worse over time.

If you click "Close and accept", the date and time as well as the selected satellite will be accepted for further
calculations.

macros
This will open a submenu of macro commands. These quickly reformat the selected cells or write data to the
active cell. You can also access the macros with the secondary (usually right) mouse button.

DEG -> DMS (Shift+Ctrl+F1)

This converts a numeric value in the selected cells from decimal format to ° '' '' or hms format. If the active
cell contains laid out strings instead of numeric values, the command has no effect.

DMS -> DEG (Shift+Ctrl+F2)

This converts a numeric value in the selected cells from the format ° '' '' or hms to decimal format. If the
active cell contains laid out strings instead of numeric values, the command has no effect.

Time -> DEG (Shift+Ctrl+F3)

This treats a numeric entry in the selected cells as a time (hh:mm:ss) and converts the entry to hours with
decimals (hh,xxxx). For example, 10:30:00 becomes 10.5.

If the active cell contains laid out strings instead of numeric values, the command has no effect. Of course, if
the original data did not contain valid time entries, the results are nonsensical.

DEG -> Time (Shift+Ctrl+F4)

This takes a numeric entry in the selected cells as hours with decimals (hh,xxxx) and converts it to a time
(0..24h) formatted as hh:mm:ss. For example, 10.5 becomes 10:30:00

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If the active cell contains laid out strings instead of numeric values, the command has no effect. If the original data did
not contain any valid times (0-24h), the results are of course nonsensical.

Layout -> Number (Shift+Ctrl+F5)

This removes all non-numeric characters from formatted numbers (angles, right ascension values, etc.) in the selected
cells and replaces the first character with the decimal separator (usually the comma [,] in German Windows
installations). For example, 3°30'00Ä' becomes 3.3000.

Number -> ° ' '' (Shift+Ctrl+F6)

This sets the degree symbol (°) in place of the decimal separator in the selected cells, followed by arc minutes and
seconds. For example, 3.3000 becomes 3°30'00''.

Number -> hms (Shift+Ctrl+F7)

This sets the h symbol in place of the decimal separator in the selected cells, followed by minutes and seconds. For
example, 3.3000 becomes 3h30m00s.

JD->UT (Shift+Ctrl+F12)

This takes a numeric entry in the selected cells as a Julian date, extracts the Universal Time from it, and writes it to the
cell as a formatted time. The current number format for UT is used.
If the active cell contains laid out strings instead of numeric values, the command has no effect.

Example: 2452171.75 becomes 06:00:00.

Of course, if the starting data did not contain valid Julian dates, the results are nonsensical.

Date (Shift+Ctrl+F8)

This macro writes the current date into the active cell.

JD/UT (Shift+Ctrl+F9)

This macro writes the current date in the active cell and the associated UT in the cell to the right of the active cell.

Location (Shift+Ctrl+F10)

This macro writes the name of the current location in the active cell and geogr. Latitude and longitude in the cells to
the right.

positioning on planets
Use this tool to locate surface features on drawings or photographs of planets or the sun. For this purpose, the dialog
"Location on planets" appears:

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First select the object. Then enter the equatorial diameter of the planetary disc or sun image in any unit of
measurement. If South is up, check the appropriate option.

Note: In the case of the sun, Ephemeris Tool automatically assumes that you used a projected image of the sun
(inverted!). Otherwise you have to swap left and right when measuring the sketch.

Ephemeris Tool must of course be set to the time at which the observation takes place. If necessary, you can use the
"Change date and time" button to adjust the observation time.

You must carry out the following work steps separately for each surface feature:
1. Enter a description, e.g. B. for sunspots the group classification (in the example "A") and the
Spot count (3).
2. Measure the drawing and enter the Cartesian coordinates of the feature or group of spots in the same unit of
measurement that you used to indicate the equatorial diameter.
3. After each coordinate entry, the output planetographic coordinates change. If you press the "Write to table" button,
each intermediate result is written to the current worksheet.

You can repeat the process for as many surface features as you want. If you adjust the date, object and image
diameter, you can also evaluate other observations and write them into the table.

When all results have been evaluated, close the dialog with "OK".

orbit determination
The commands in the "Orbit Determination" submenu allow an orbit determination according to Laplace with
subsequent orbit correction or a first, rough orbit determination according to the two-body problem from three
observations according to the Gaussian method.

Ephemeris Tool is only suitable to a limited extent for very precise evaluations of a large number of positions. I
recommend the "Find Orb" program, which is offered as freeware on the "Project Pluto" homepage. It is also distributed
together with Guide.

Track Improvement...

The Tools|Orbit Determination|Orbit Improvement command causes Ephemeris Tool to open a file with observations
and, using the observations contained therein (or a selection from them), calculate a first, provisional orbit, which can
then be improved.

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First the file selection dialog “Open file with observations” appears. Here you can choose from the following file formats:

• Text files, either in Ephemeris Tool format or as MPEC circulars in *.txt format. Ephemeris Tool
can independently distinguish between the two formats.
• Observation binaries: a second Ephemeris Tool data format that stores data in binary format
are included.
• MPEC circulars, this time in *.htm or *.html format. To do this, the file must be saved locally. A to
direct access via the Internet is not possible.
Now the dialog "Select observations from file" appears:

The individual observations from the file are listed here. Double-clicking on one of the observations removes it from the
list of observations to consider for the first fit.

You can also have 3, 4, or 5 observations (evenly distributed across the file) automatically selected.

With "OK" you initiate the calculation of a first path. If the calculation fails, you will immediately return to the first dialog.
Now select other observations. The Previous Selection button recalls the last selection used. Otherwise all observations
are displayed first.

If the calculation does not fail, the "Residuals" dialog appears (see below). With this dialog you make the improvements
to the trajectory based on the selected observations. If the approximation is good, choose either "Close" to end the
procedure or "Reload for improvement" to load all observations (or another selection) for further improvement.

At the end, Ephemeris Tool writes the following information (or a selection thereof) into the active spreadsheet,
depending on the settings in the Settings|Options dialog:
• The content of the file with observations,
• the result (orbit element set),
At the same time, possible problems (e.g. earth orbit solution) are pointed out.

Especially when reading in MPEC circulars, it should be noted that the calculation method used calculates with
relatively large time intervals between three observations (days, better weeks).

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Gauss...

The Tools|Orbit Determination|Gauss command causes Ephemeris Tool to open a file of observations and compute a
provisional Gaussian orbit for a triplet of observations.

First the file selection dialog “Open file with observations” appears. Here you can choose from the following file formats:

• Text files, either in Ephemeris Tool format or as MPEC circulars in *.txt format. Ephemeris Tool
can independently distinguish between the two formats.
• Observation binaries: a second Ephemeris Tool data format that stores data in binary format
are included.
• MPEC circulars, this time in *.htm or *.html format. To do this, the file must be saved locally. A to
direct access via the Internet is not possible.
Then Ephemeris Tool (depending on the settings in the "Defaults for Path Determination" dialog, optionally as a selection)
writes the following information into the active worksheet:
• The content of the file with observations,
• a record of the calculation,
• the result (orbit element set),
At the end of each calculation, possible problems (e.g. earth orbit solution) are pointed out.

Especially when reading in MPEC circulars, it should be noted that the calculation method used calculates with relatively
large time intervals between three observations (days, better weeks).

If a file contains more than three observations (this is the norm with MPEC circulars), Ephemeris Tool processes the file
step by step:
1234567 ...
|___|
|___|
|____| etc.
Better results are often obtained if closely adjacent observations are eliminated, i.e. in the example above observations
2, 3, 5 and 6 are deleted and only 1, 5 and 7 are used to determine the orbit.

To sort out observations from an MPEC circular, you can use Tools|Orbit determination|Show file... to write their content
to a spreadsheet, delete observations and then use a new file name in *.txt format or in *.obs format save on computer.

Capture Observations...

This command from the Tools|Orbit Determination menu causes Ephemeris Tool to create a header for a file of
observations in the current worksheet. There you enter the observations, which
You want to base an orbit improvement or orbit determination according to Gauss. You must enter at least three
observations.

Ephemeris Tool creates an input grid where you need to enter the following:

• Cell C1: equinox of observations (year, possibly with decimals). The entry is prefixed with '2000'
lays.
• Cell E1: Desired equinox of the orbital elements (year, possibly with decimals). The entry is with
'2000' preassigned.
• This must be followed by at least three lines with data records (from line 3):
• Column A: Year of observation
• Column B: month of observation
• Column C: Date of observation
• Column D: UT of observation, as hours with decimals

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• Column E: Right ascension as hours, minutes, seconds with decimals, with the decimal separator after the hour value (the ','
for German Windows regional settings). Example: 3.12123 for 3 hours, 12 minutes, 12.3 seconds.

• Column F: Declination as degrees, minutes, etc., otherwise in the same format as right ascension.
• Column G: brightness of object in mag (reserved for use in later versions of Ephemeris Tool,
enter 0 if necessary).
• Column H: optional: longitude of the observation site, in the same number format as RA and Dec, western
values negative.
• Column I: optional: latitude of observation site, in same number format as RA and Dec, southern
values negative.

The geographic position is not taken into account in the current version of Ephemeris Tool, you can enter 0 if necessary.

A fully captured observation looks like this:

When the observations have been entered completely in the spreadsheet, you must save them in a file with observations with
"Save observations" in order to then be able to determine an orbit
with.

save observations...

If you have a data set with observations of planetoids or comets for further orbit determination
captured, save it to a file with this command. A dialog appears for assigning a file name. You can save the observation in a
binary *.obs file or as a text file.

You can then use the data in the file to determine orbits according to Gauss or to improve orbits
carry out.

Capture Status Vector...

With this command from the menu "Tools|Orbit Determination" you can capture a status vector in the active spreadsheet and
save it in a file with status vectors. In the course of a path improvement, you can then load this file in the "Residuals" dialog.

The status vector must be in the following format:

• All values must be in one line,
• A total of 7 numerical values in adjacent columns are expected: x, y, z, vx, vy, vz, JD.
Units are AU and AU per day.

This is what a correctly marked status vector looks like:

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Highlight the 7 cells with the values and then invoke the Capture Status Vector command. A dialog then
appears in which the detected status vector is displayed. You can now save the vector.

show file...

With this command you can have the contents of a file with observations for orbit determinations written to a
spreadsheet for display. The values can be edited there and then saved again with Tools|Orbit determination|
Save observations....

First the file selection dialog “Open file with observations” appears. Here you can choose from the following file
formats:
• Text files, either in Ephemeris Tool format or as MPEC circulars in *.txt format. Ephemeris Tool
can independently distinguish between the two formats.
• Observation binaries: a second Ephemeris Tool data format that stores data in binary format
are included.
• MPEC circulars, this time in *.htm or *.html format. To do this, the file must be saved locally. A to
direct access via the Internet is not possible.
If MPEC circulars have been imported, you can then save the data from them in one of the original Ephemeris
Tool formats. Of course, the table can also be saved using the File menu commands.

Preferences... (Ctrl+Alt+F8)

Julian datum for M: here you specify the epoch for which the mean anomaly should apply.

"Currently used JD" button: sets the epoch to the Julian date currently used by the program.

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Data output options

File with observations: gives the input data (observations) in addition to the results of the calculation
out of.

Log Calculation: Reports the results of the iterative process within Gauss's method.
Based on this, one can assess the stability and credibility of the bill.

track improvement

Here you only specify the default settings for path calculation (according to Laplace) and improvement. You
make the actual settings yourself in the “Residuals” dialog.

Preferred calculation method: choose whether disturbances should be integrated (very slowly), an undisturbed
Kepler orbit should be calculated (if the observations are close in time) or whether an undisturbed Kepler orbit
should be calculated using a particularly fast but not quite as accurate calculation method.

Observations are topocentric: Specify here whether topocentric astrometric observations or geocentric
astrometric observations should be assumed by default. Normally this option should be activated.

Rate of change: here the presetting for the change of the path elements with each iteration is made
men.

calculation method

This command has the same effect as Integration|Calculation Method.

Der Dialog „Residues“

With this dialog you make improvements to a course. If the approximation is good, choose either "Close" to end
the procedure or "Reload for improvement" to load all observations (or another selection) for further improvement.

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In the list box you will find the observations on which the orbit calculation is based. The currently used file is
indicated above it. The path elements and the status vector for the current approximation are given below the list
field.

Continue Calculation button: Start a new iteration. You can repeat the iteration as many times as you like until
the remaining error is satisfactory.

Reload to Improve button: This takes you back to the observation selection dialog, allows you to exclude certain
observations from the calculation, and then start a new orbit calculation.

Previous Result button: discards the last calculated approximation step. This makes sense if you have made
changes that have had an unfavorable effect on the bill.

Close button: This ends the lane refinement and writes the results to the current spreadsheet.

Cancel button: This ends the path refinement without recording the results in the current spreadsheet.

Save State vector button: allows you to save the current state vector of a path enhancement
save for later use.

Load State vector button: Allows you to load a saved path enhancement state vector for a new calculation.

Rate of change: Here you determine how much the Ephemeris Tool changes the orbit elements for the next iterations
step changed.

Locations are topocentric: If you check this option, the observations underlying the orbit refinement will be
treated as topocentric locations.

Calculation method: Here you specify whether Ephemeris Tool for the orbit calculation should calculate the
disturbances of a planetoid or comet orbit via numerical integration (very slowly), should calculate an undisturbed
Kepler orbit (if the observations are close in time) or whether an undisturbed Kepler orbit should be calculated is
calculated using a particularly fast but not quite as precise calculation method.

Transformationen... (F9)
With this command you can convert coordinates between the following systems:
• equatorial coordinates of the current equinox as well as J2000 or B1950,
• ecliptic coordinates of the current equinox as well as J2000 or B1950,
• galactic coordinates,
• Altitude and azimuth in horizon system.
The conversion is carried out using the "Coordinate transformation" dialog:

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Proceed as follows:
1. In the dialog box, use the "System" list box to select the input format.
2. Enter the values in hours or degrees with decimals, e.g. B. 3.5000 for three and a half degrees.
3. You can also enter the values as degrees or hours with minutes and seconds, e.g. B. 3.30000 for three
and a half degrees. In this case, then press the corresponding DMS->DEG button.
4. You can now switch to other coordinate systems in the list box, read the values there in the dialog box
or change them.
Hour angles and visibility times for an object at the current coordinates are also displayed in the horizon
system.

With "OK" you instruct Ephemeris Tool to write the complete set of coordinates into the active worksheet.

two-body problem
This command in the "Tools" menu opens a submenu with commands for converting different quantities
according to the two-body problem.

daily movement

Since some sources of oscillating orbital elements for planetoids do not report the diurnal motion (n in °) of
the object, it is useful to have a routine that calculates this quantity from the semimajor axis a (in AU).
Although, strictly speaking, the mass of the body should be included in the calculation, this can be neglected
in most cases.

You will first be prompted to enter the semimajor axis (in AE). The numerical value for n is then output in
degrees and decimals in another dialog. Use the "Copy" button to transfer the result to the clipboard.

perihelion distance

In the case of elliptical orbits, some sources of oscillating orbital elements for comets do not give the more
usual quantity q (perihelion distance), but the semimajor axis a. a can be converted into q using this menu
command.

You are first prompted to enter the semimajor axis a (in AE) and then the numerical eccentricity e.

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The semimajor axis can - in the case of e>1 - also assume negative values. However, the sources for orbital
elements usually give the perihelion distance directly. The numerical eccentricity e must be greater than or
equal to 0.

Then another dialog appears with the calculation result. You can copy the results with the "Copy"
Transfer buttons to the clipboard.

Transformation Bahnelemente

With this you can convert the orbital position elements inclination (i), knot length and argument or length of
the perihelion between two equinoxes. To do this, the “Enter path elements” dialog appears first:

First enter the old path elements in degrees and decimal places (x,xxxx...°) format. Specify whether the value
for "Perihel" should be interpreted as a length (Per+Kn) or an argument of the perihelion (distance Per-Kn).
Enter the old and new equinox as year numbers, with decimals if necessary. Buttons are provided for current
equinox, B1950 and J2000.

If you confirm with "OK", the result of the transformation dialog "Path Position Elements" appears. You can
copy the results to the clipboard using the "Copy" button.

Gaus-Krüger<->geogr.
This converts the rectangular Gaus-Krüger coordinates into the usual geographic coordinates and vice versa.
You can find the Gauss-Krüger coordinates on the usual topographical maps.

The transformation is done in the "Conformal to geographic coordinates conversion" dialog box:

Depending on which direction you want to transform, enter values under either Right or Right.
Northing or under Length and Width. The input fields are preset with the currently used geographical
coordinates. The values for geogr. Longitude and latitude are expected as degrees with decimals. Eastern
longitudes (Germany!) are expected to be negative.

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You can copy the values in the input fields (or in the display fields, which show the geogr. coordinates in
the ° '' '' system) to the clipboard using the "Copy" button.

The "Apply values" button closes the dialog and converts the geographic coordinates to the modified
coordinates. With "Close" you end the dialog without accepting any changes.

The invoice is only valid for Germany. The command is therefore only available if the German interface is
activated.

Moving Holidays

This writes a table of the floating holidays of the current year in use to the active worksheet.
The command is only available if the German interface is activated.

Commands in the "?" menu

The commands in the "Help" menu call up various sources of information on how to use the Ephemeris
Tool.

In many dialogs, context-sensitive help is available with F1. If you highlight a menu option, you can also
access context-sensitive help with F1.

Content (F1)

Use Help|Contents to open the Ephemeris Tool help file. A window with the table of contents of the help
will then appear.

If you don't know how to use Windows Help, choose "?|Use Help" from the menu bar.

Selecting a menu item and then pressing F1 takes you directly to help for that menu option.

F1 calls up the appropriate help in many dialog boxes. In some dialog boxes, a "Help" button calls up the
appropriate help.

Seek...

Use "?|Search" to open the search dialog for the Ephemeris Tool help file. Then enter the term you need
help with.

For more information on using Windows Help, choose ?|Use Help.

Tip of the Tagus...

This command from the "?" menu displays a dialog box with tips on how to use and on the scope of the
Ephemeris Tool program. If the option "Show at next program start" is ticked, the tips of the day will appear
every time the program is started. In this way, over time, you can find out about many of Ephemeris Tool's
features, some of which are hidden.

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use help

Choose this command for information on how to use the Windows help system.

Manual

This command attempts to load the electronic manual. For this you need the Acrobat® Reader from Adobe®.

Legend
This brings up a dialog listing and explaining the column headings for all ephemeris sizes.

Homepage
This command calls the default browser on your Windows system and attempts to connect you to the home page
of Astronomy Software Dings. From there you can download updates for Ephemeris Tool, among other things.

Note: Your system is trying to connect you to the Internet. Telephone charges and fees are incurred by your
Internet provider.

Info...

With "?|Info" you call the copyright dialog of Ephemeris Tool. Here you will also receive information about the exact
program version and your serial number.

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4 The spreadsheet
Ephemeris Tool does not see itself primarily as a spreadsheet program. Therefore, the following
explanations on how to use the spreadsheet interface are kept brief. It is helpful to use Ephemeris Tool
if you already have experience in handling spreadsheets.

Working with spreadsheets

An Ephemeris Tool file consists of a collection of one or more spreadsheets. A new file initially only
contains a single sheet (named “Sheet1”).

To insert more sheets, choose Insert|Table.

You can delete a spreadsheet using the Edit|Delete Spreadsheet command.

To change the default sheet name ("Sheet...") to something more descriptive, choose Edit|Rename
Sheet or double-click the sheet tab.

You can change the order of the sheets in the file with Edit|Move Sheet.

To activate a worksheet, click on the corresponding tab with the mouse or hold down the ALT key and
use the Page Up or Page Down key.

If you activate several worksheets at the same time, you can carry out edits in all selected sheets at the
same time.

To select a contiguous group of spreadsheets

• - click the tab of the first worksheet
• - hold down the SHIFT key
• - and click the tab of the last worksheet.

To select a non-contiguous group of sheets

• click on the tab of the first worksheet,
• hold down the CTRL key,
• click the tabs of other worksheets one after the other.

Deselect all spreadsheets

If you have all worksheets selected at once, deselect them by holding down the CTRL key and clicking
a tab.

Enter values in cells

To enter a value in a single cell, do the following:

• Place the mouse pointer in the required cell.

• Enter a number, string, or formula (starting with "=").
• Complete the entry with "ENTER".

As long as you have not completed an entry with ENTER, you can undo it with ESC.

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Examples of inputs:

2556431.5 (Number)
1/1/1996 (Datum)
heading (Text)
=A2 (Formula)
=PI() (Formula)

To enter values in several cells one after the other, you can first mark an area with the mouse. After each entry, the
active cell automatically jumps to the next step.

Edit values in cells

To edit the contents of a table cell (a value or a formula), place the cursor on that cell and press the F2 function key or
double-click in the cell.

If you press F2 again, a dialog box appears in which you can also edit the cell content. In this way, you can also
accommodate multi-line text in one cell.

If the editing line has been activated with View|Editing line, you can change the content of a selected cell directly there.

As long as you have not completed an edit with ENTER, you can undo it with ESC.

The commands in the "Edit" menu are also available for editing cell contents.

Autofill cells
Like the standard spreadsheets, Ephemeris Tool also offers the possibility of automatically filling in data series. To do
this, mark the desired cell with the mouse, then click on the "fill-in box" at the bottom right of the cell marking and drag it
in the desired direction. Values or formulas are then automatically copied to the marked area.

The cursor changes appearance as you move it over the fill handle.

Marking data
You can select a range of cells with the mouse or the keyboard. To do this, click in a cell with the mouse and open the
selection.

With the keyboard, first press the shift key and then change the marking with the arrow keys.

You can select a range of cells by dragging them with the mouse. If you keep the CTRL key pressed, you can select
several non-contiguous areas.

If you click on a column or row header with the mouse, you select the entire column or row.
Click on the first column/row header at the top left to select all cells of all worksheets in the file.

If you drag the mouse over rows/column headers, you select several rows/columns at the same time. Here, too, you can
select non-contiguous cells if you hold down the CTRL key while selecting.

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Moving, inserting and deleting cells

To move cells or a selected range of cells, click on the selected area with the mouse and move it to the required
position. Data in the new position will be overwritten.

To insert new cells, use the "Insert|Cells..." command. You can delete cells with the "Edit|Delete Cells..."
command.

Resize columns and rows

You can resize columns and rows using the subcommands of the Format menu, the context menu, or using the
mouse.

To change the column size via menu commands

• Use the mouse to mark the area in which the columns to be adjusted are located
• call up the corresponding commands in the menu or in the context menu.

They also change the row height.

You can resize manually or automatically. Adjust automatically means that the width or
Height can be adjusted to the longest/tallest entry in the respective row/column. The "Both" command in the
context menu calls up the automatic adjustment of row height and column width.

To change the column size and line height with the mouse, move the mouse arrow in the heading line/column
(with the number or letter markings) to the respective edge. This changes the shape of the mouse pointer. You
can now drag the row/column to the desired size.

To automatically adjust the column size and row height with the mouse, double-click a row or column header
with the mouse. If you have selected several rows or columns at the same time, you must hold down the CTRL
key.

If you select the entire table with the mouse and then change the row/column size, the new value is set as the
default for the worksheet.

formatting data

To format data, you can use the Format menu commands or the corresponding toolbar buttons. The formatting
options of the Ephemeris Tool spreadsheets correspond largely to those of professional spreadsheets:

Cells:

• Font (and size)

• Alignment (left/right, centered, centered over marker).
• Number Format (General, Currency, Fixed Point, Percent, Fractions, Scientific, Date, Time).

border (around the cells).

• Pattern (colored background/hatching, etc.).

• Row height and column width (with defined values or automatically).

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In addition, the Format menu commands allow

• the fixing of rows/columns,
• showing/hiding the formulas on which the table is based,
• as well as the formatting of the ephemeris tables in terms of scope, duration and data format.

Use functions and operators in formulas

The spreadsheet in Ephemeris Tool knows - just like common standard products - formulas, functions
and operators.

Mathematical operators for formulas are: +, -, *, /, ^ and %. The operator & connects character strings.

There is also a wealth of mathematical, logical, database and character string functions.

Spreadsheet functions
To enter a function in a table cell, you must precede it with an equal sign (=).
Otherwise the input is interpreted as plain text, not as a formula.

Examples:

=ABS(B1) returns the absolute value of the content of cell B1.

=ABS(-2) returns 2 as the absolute value of -2.

The function arguments are always enclosed in (). Even if no arguments are expected, at least one empty parenthesis must
be passed. Multiple arguments are terminated by the list separator. In German Windows installations, this should usually be
the semicolon (;).

Examples:

=ATAN2(A1;A2) returns the arctangent of the x-value in cell A1 and the y-value in cell A2.

=NOW() returns the system date of the computer clock.

=NOW returns an error message (because the parentheses are missing).

Some functions have mandatory and optional arguments. Optional arguments are denoted by [] in the descriptions of the
function calls.

Example:

DB(est_value, salvage, useful_life, period, [months])

You enter something like this in the table:

DB(10000;1000;7;3) or DB(10000;1000;7;3;5)

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Reference of spreadsheet functions

database functions
CHOOSE Returns a value from a list of numbers based on the given index.

COUNT Returns the number of values in the passed list.

COUNTIF Returns the number of values in a range that match a given criterion. are equivalent to

COUNTA Returns the number of non-empty values in the passed list.

HLOOKUP Finds a column heading in a table and returns the contents of a cell that corresponds to a given row
index.
INDEX Returns the contents of a cell in a specified range.
LOOKUP Looks up a value in a database-like table
MATCH A searched value is compared with the entries in a value table and the position of the closest value
is returned.
MAX Returns the largest value in a list of values

OFFSET Specifies the contents of a range of cells relative to a starting cell.

VLOOKUP Looks up a table of values organized in columns.

Date and time functions

DATE Returns a serial number for the date.
DATEVALUE Returns a serial number for the date passed as text.
DAY Returns the day of the given date.
HOUR Returns the hour portion of a serial date number.
MINUTE Returns the minutes portion of a serial date number.
MONTH Returns the month of the given date.
NOW Returns system date and time as a serial number.
SECOND Returns the seconds portion of a serial date number.
TIME Returns a serial value for a time.
TIMEVALUE Returns a serial value for the text representation of a time.
TODAY TODAY() returns the date as a serial number when recalculating a table.
WEEKDAY Returns the day of the week of the given date.
YEAR Returns the year of the given date.

Mathematical Finance Functions

DB Returns the degressive depreciation of an asset.
DDB Returns the degressive double rate depreciation of an asset.
FV Returns the future value of an investment based on regular, constant payments and a constant
interest rate.
IPMT Returns the amount of interest paid in the specified period, based on regular, constant payments
and a constant interest rate.
IRR Returns the IRR of an investment without financing costs or reinvestment gains.

MIRR This function returns the modified internal rate of return that results from a series of periodic
payments.
NPER Returns the number of payment periods for an investment based on periodic, unchanging payments
and a constant interest rate.

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NPV Returns the net present value (NPV) of an investment.

PMT This function returns the annuity of a loan, assuming a constant interest rate.

PPMT Calculates the principal portion of the repayments due for borrowed capital for the specified
period.
PV Returns the present value of an investment.
RAND Returns a random decimal number between 0 and 1.
RATE Returns the interest rate of an annuity per period.
SLN Returns the linear depreciation of an asset per period.
SOUTH Returns the arithmetic degressive depreciation of an asset
VDB Calculates the depreciation amount.

String manipulation functions

CLEAN Removes all non-printable characters from the given text.
CODE Returns the numeric code of the first character in the given string.
CHAR Returns the character associated with the given ANSI code.
CONCATENATE Concatenates multiple strings together.
EXACT Checks whether two strings are identical.
FIND Finds a character string in another character string.
LEFT Returns a specific number of characters starting with the first (left) character of a character string.

JUST returns the number of characters in a string.

LOWER Returns a lowercase string.
MID Returns a specified number of characters from a text starting at a specified starting position.

REPLACE Replaces a part of a string with another string.

PROPER Converts a string to a case-correct string.

REPT Repeats a string.

RIGHT Returns a certain number of characters starting with the last (right) character of a character
string.
SEARCH Returns the position of the first character of a string in another string.

SUBSTITUTE Replaces the substring of a string with another.

TEXT Formats the passed numeric value as text using a formatting instruction.

TRIM TRIM(Text) replaces multiple spaces in text with single ones.

UPPER UPPER(text) converts text to uppercase.
VALUE Converts a given text into a numeric value.

Information
ADDRESS Returns a cell address as text.
COLUMN Returns the column of the passed cell reference.
COLUMNS Returns the number of columns in the cell reference passed.
ERROR_TYPE Returns the index of the corresponding error value.
Returns the content of a cell that is INDIRECT referenced via the text in the passed cell.

ISBLANK ISBLANK(reference) returns TRUE if the given cell is empty, otherwise FALSE.
ISERR returns TRUE if the passed expression yields an error value (except #N/A!), FALSE otherwise.

ISERROR Returns TRUE if the passed expression returns an error value, otherwise FALSE.
ISLOGICAL returns TRUE if the passed expression returns a truth value, otherwise

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FALSE.
ISNA returns TRUE if the given expression returns the #NA! returns FALSE otherwise.

ISNONTEXT returns TRUE if the passed expression contains no text, otherwise FALSE.
ISNUMBER returns TRUE if the passed expression contains a numeric value, otherwise FALSE.

ISREF returns TRUE if the passed expression contains a cell reference, otherwise FALSE.
ISTEXT returns TRUE if the transferred expression contains a text, otherwise FALSE.
N Checks the value passed as an argument and returns it if it can be represented as a numeric value.

ROW Returns the row of the passed cell reference.

ROWS Returns the number of rows in the cell reference passed.
T T(value) tests the value or cell reference and returns it as a string, as a space ( ) if value is numeric.

TYPE Returns the argument type of the given expression.

Logic
FALSE FALSE() returns the logical value FALSE.
IF Tests a condition for truth and returns a predefined value depending on the result.

NOT Returns the reverse truth value.

OR Concatenates a list of logical values using the Boolean operator OR.
TRUE TRUE() returns the logical value TRUE.

Mathematical Functions
ABS Returns the absolute value of a number.
ACOS Returns the arccosine of a number (-1 <= x <= +1) in radians.
ACOSH Returns the inverse of the hyperbolic cosine.
SALT Returns the arcsine of a number (-1 <= x <= +1) in radians.
ASINH Returns the inverse of the hyperbolic tangent.
ATAN Returns the arctangent of a number in radians.
ATAN2 Returns the arctangent of a coordinate pair.
Atanh Returns the inverse of the hyperbolic sine.
CEILING Rounds a number up to the nearest multiple of a size.
COS Returns the cosine of a numeric value (specified in radians).
COSH Returns the hyperbolic cosine.
EXP Raise the base e to the power of the number given as an argument.
EVEN Rounds up to the nearest even number.
FLOOR Rounds a number down to the nearest multiple of a size.
FACT Returns the factorial of the number passed as an argument.
INT INT(x) rounds x down to the integer <=x.
LN LN(x) returns the natural logarithm of x.
LOG Returns the logarithm of a number in any base.
LOG10 Returns the common logarithm of a number.
PRODUCT Product(x1,x2,x3...) multiplies up to 30 values in a value list.
MOD MOD(a,b) returns the remainder of integer division a div b.
ODD Rounds up to the nearest odd number.
PI Gives the value of the number pi to approximately 15 digits.
ROUND Rounds a number.
ROUNDDOWN Rounds a number down.
ROUNDUP Rounds up a number.

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SIGN SIGN(x) returns the sign of x in the form -1, 0, or +1.

SIN Returns the sine of a numeric value (specified in radians).
BORN Returns the hyperbolic sine.
SQRT SQRT(x) returns the square root of the (positive) number x.
SUM SUM(x1;x2;x3...) returns the sum of up to 30 passed numeric values.

SUMIF Returns the sum of the values in the specified range of cells if the specified criterion is met.

SUMSQ SUMSQ(x1; x2; x3...) squares the up to 30 passed numeric values and adds them

TAN Returns the tangent of a numeric value (specified in radians).

THAN Returns the hyperbolic tangent.
TRUNK Truncates the number passed as an argument to 0 or a specified number of decimal places.

Statistics

AVERAGE Returns the arithmetic mean of a set of numbers.

STDEV Estimates the standard deviation based on a sample.
STDEVP Calculates the standard deviation based on the population.
WAS VAR(x1;x2;x3...) estimates the variance of the passed value list, based on a random sample.

LAST VARP(x1;x2;x3...) calculates the variance based on the population.

Alphabetical list of functions

ABS Returns the absolute value of a number.
ACOS Returns the arccosine of a number (-1 <= x <= +1) in radians.
ACOSH Returns the inverse of the hyperbolic cosine.
ADDRESS Returns a cell address as text.
AND Returns True if all arguments evaluate to the logical value True.
SALT Returns the arcsine of a number (-1 <= x <= +1) in radians.
ASINH Returns the inverse of the hyperbolic sine.
ATAN Returns the arctangent of a number in radians.
ATAN2 Returns the arctangent of a coordinate pair.
Atanh Returns the inverse of the hyperbolic sine.
AVERAGE Returns the average of a set of numbers.
CEILING Rounds a number up to the nearest multiple of a size.
CHAR Returns the character associated with the given ANSI code.
CHOOSE Returns a value from a list of numbers based on the given index.

CLEAN Removes all non-printable characters from the given text.

CODE Returns the numeric code of the first character in the given string.
COLUMN Returns the column of the passed cell reference.
COLUMNS Returns the number of columns in the cell reference passed.
CONCATENATE Concatenates multiple strings together.
COS Returns the cosine of a numeric value (specified in radians).
COSH Returns the hyperbolic cosine.
COUNT Returns the number of values in the passed list.
COUNTIF Returns the number of values in a range that match a given criterion.

COUNTA Returns the number of non-empty values in the passed list.

DATE Returns a serial number for the date.
DATEVALUE Returns a serial number for the date passed as text.

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DAY Returns the day of the given date.

DB Returns the declining balance depreciation of an asset for a specific period.
DDB Returns the double-declining balance depreciation of an asset for a specific period.

ERROR_TYPE Returns the index of the corresponding error value.

EVEN Rounds up to the next even number.
EXACT Checks whether two strings are identical.
EXP Raise the base e to the power of the number given as an argument.
FACT Returns the factorial of the number passed as an argument.
FALSE FALSE() returns the logical value FALSE.
FIND Finds a character string in another character string.
FLOOR Rounds a number down to the nearest multiple of a size.
FV provides the final value of an investment based on regular, constant payments and a constant
interest rate.
HLOOKUP Finds a column heading in a table and returns the contents of a cell,
which corresponds to a passed row index.
HOUR Returns the hour portion of a serial date number.
IF Tests a condition for truth and returns a predefined value depending on the result.

INDEX Returns the contents of a cell in a specified range.

INDIRECT Returns the content of a cell referenced by the text in the cell passed.

INT INT(x) rounds x down to the integer <=x.

IPMT Returns the amount of interest paid in the specified period, based on regular, constant payments
and a constant interest rate.
IRR Returns the IRR of an investment without financing costs or reinvestment gains.

ISBLANK ISBLANK(reference) returns TRUE if the given cell is empty, otherwise FALSE.
ISERR returns TRUE if the passed expression yields an error value (except #N/A!), FALSE otherwise.

ISERROR Returns TRUE if the passed expression returns an error value, otherwise FALSE.
ISLOGICAL returns TRUE if the passed expression returns a truth value, otherwise FALSE.

ISNA returns TRUE if the given expression returns the #NA! returns FALSE otherwise.

ISNONTEXT returns TRUE if the passed expression contains no text, otherwise FALSE.
ISNUMBER returns TRUE if the passed expression contains a numeric value, otherwise FALSE.

ISREF returns TRUE if the passed expression contains a cell reference, otherwise FALSE.
ISTEXT returns TRUE if the transferred expression contains a text, otherwise FALSE.
LEFT Returns a specified number of characters starting with the first (left) character of a string.

JUST returns the number of characters in a string.

LN LN(x) returns the natural logarithm of x.
LOG Returns the logarithm of a number in any base.
LOG10 Returns the common logarithm of a number.
LOOKUP Looks up a value in a database-like table.
LOWER Returns a lowercase string.
MATCH A searched value is compared with the entries in a value table and the position of the closest value
is returned.
MAX Returns the largest value in a list of values.
MID Returns a specified number of characters from a text starting at a specified starting position.

MIN Returns the smallest value in a list of values.

MINUTE Returns the minutes portion of a serial date number.
MIRR This function returns the modified internal rate of return, which changes over a series of

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odic payments.
AGAINST MOD(a,b) returns the remainder of integer division a div b.
MONTH Returns the month of the given date.
N Checks the value passed as an argument and returns it if it can be represented as a numeric value.

NOT Returns the reverse truth value.

NOW Returns system date and time as a serial number.
NPER returns the number of payment periods for an investment based on periodic, unchanging payments
and a constant interest rate.
NPV Returns the net present value (NPV) of an investment.
ODD Rounds up to the next odd number.
OFFSET Specifies the contents of a range of cells relative to a starting cell.
OR Concatenates a list of logical values using the Boolean operator OR.
PI PI() returns the value of the number Pi to approximately 15 digits.
PMT This function returns the annuity of a loan, assuming a constant interest rate.

PPMT calculates the repayment portion of the repayments due for borrowed capital for the specified
period.
PROPER Converts a string to a case-correct string.

PV Returns the present value of an investment.

RAND Returns a random decimal number between 0 and 1.
RATE Returns the interest rate of an annuity per period.
REPLACE Replaces a part of a string with another string.
REPT Repeats a string.
RIGHT Returns a certain number of characters starting with the last (right) character of a character string.

ROUND Rounds a number.

ROUNDDOWN Rounds a number up.
ROUNDUP Rounds a number up.
ROW Returns the row of the passed cell reference.
ROWS Returns the number of rows in the cell reference passed.
SEARCH Returns the position of the first character of a string in another string.

SECOND Returns the seconds portion of a serial date number.

SIGN SIGN(x) returns the sign of x in the form -1, 0, or +1.
SIN Returns the sine of a numeric value (specified in radians).
BORN Returns the hyperbolic sine.
SLN Returns the linear depreciation of an asset per period.
SQRT SQRT(x) returns the square root of the (positive) number x
STDEV Estimates the standard deviation based on a sample.
STDEVP Calculates the standard deviation based on the population.
SUBSTITUTE Replaces the substring of a string with another.
SUM SUM(x1;x2;x3...) returns the sum of up to 30 passed numeric values.

SUMIF Returns the sum of the values in the specified range of cells if the specified criterion is met.

SUMSQ SUMSQ(x1; x2; x3...) squares the up to 30 passed numeric values and adds them.

SOUTH Returns the arithmetic degressive depreciation of an asset

T T(value) tests the value or cell reference and returns it as a string, as a space ( ) if value is numeric.

TAN Returns the tangent of a numeric value (specified in radians).

THAN Returns the hyperbolic tangent.
TEXT Formats the passed numeric value as text using a formatting instruction.

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TIME Returns a serial value for a time.

TIMEVALUE Returns a serial value for the text representation of a time.
TODAY TODAY() returns the date as a serial number when recalculating a table.
TRIM TRIM(Text) replaces multiple spaces in text with single ones.
TRUE TRUE() returns the logical value TRUE.
TRUNK Truncates the number passed as an argument to 0 or a specified number of decimal places.

TYPE Returns the argument type of the given expression.

UPPER UPPER(text) converts text to uppercase.
VALUE Converts a given text into a numeric value.
WAS VAR(x1;x2;x3...) estimates the variance of the passed value list, based on a random sample.

LAST VARP(x1;x2;x3...) calculates the variance based on the population.

VDB Calculates the depreciation amount
VLOOKUP Looks up a table of values organized in columns.
WEEKDAY Returns the day of the week of the given date.
YEAR Returns the year of the given date.

Address
Converts a cell address to text

Syntax:

ADDRESS ( row; column; reference type [; reference format] [; table] )

Line The row number of the cell address

Split The cell address column

Reference format The type of cell reference. The following values are possible:
1. Absolute reference
2. Absolute row address, relative column address
3. Relative row address, absolute column address
4. Relative reference

Reference format This value must be "TRUE" for A1 addressing. The addressing according to Z1S1 (Zei
le/column) is not possible.

Table Name of an external spreadsheet. If this parameter is missing, the address refers to the currently active
worksheet.

Examples:

This function call returns $F$5: ADDRESS(5; 6; 1)

This call results in sales!F5: ADDRESS(5; 6; 4; TRUE(); "Sales")

AND

Returns True if all arguments evaluate to the logical value True.

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Syntax:

AND (logical expression1; logical expression 2; logical expression 3...)

A maximum of 30 conditions are possible in brackets.

Example:

AND (1+1=2; 2*2=4; 3*3=9) returns TRUE

ATAN2

Returns the arctangent of a coordinate pair.

Syntax:

ATAN2(x;y)

The return value denotes the angle between the X axis and the radius vector in polar coordinates (in the range between
-Pi and +Pi).

AVERAGE

Returns the arithmetic mean of a set of numbers.

Syntax:

AVERAGE(Number1, Number2, Number3...)

A maximum of 30 arguments are possible.

Example:

This call returns 8.25: AVERAGE (5, 6, 8, 14)

CEILING

Rounds a number up to the nearest multiple of a quantity that specifies the desired precision.

Syntax

CEILING ( x; precision)

x The number to round

accuracy The size to round to

Remarks:

It is always rounded up (regarding the amount of the number!). If the number specifying the precision is not a valid
numeric value, the function returns the #VALUE! return. If the arguments are of opposite sign, the NUM! returned..

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Examples:

CEILING(1.23459; 0;05) returns 1.25.

CEILING(-148.24, -2) returns -150.

CHAR

Returns the character associated with the given ANSI code

Example:

CHAR(70) returns the character F, CHAR(35) returns #.

CHOOSE

Returns a value from a list of numbers based on the given index.

Syntax:

CHOOSE (Index; Liste)

Parameter:

Index A number that references an entry in a list

List A list of numbers, formulas, or text, separated by the Windows list separator (usually the semicolon ";")

Remarks:

Index can be a cell reference or a formula that returns a value between 1 and 29. If index < 1 or greater than the number
of entries in the list, CHOOSE returns the #VALUE! return. If index is a decimal number, the integer value of the number
is used.

Examples:

This function returns Q2: CHOOSE(2;"Q1"; "Q2"; "Q3"; "Q4")

This function returns the average of the contents of cell range A1:A10: AVERAGE(CHOOSE(1;
A1:A10; B1:B10; C1:C10))

CLEAN

Removes all non-printable characters from the given text.

Syntax

CLEAN (Text)

Text is a list of character strings.

Example:

Because Char(8) represents a non-printable character, the following example returns "Unpaid bills":

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CLEAN(„Offene „ & CHAR(8) & "Invoices")

CODE

Returns the numeric code (ANSI code) of the first character in the given string.

Syntax

CODE (Text )

Example:

CODE("A") returns 65.

COLUMN

Returns the column of the passed cell reference.

Syntax:

COLUMN(cell reference)

Examples:

COLUMN(B3) returns 2.
COLUMN() returns 4 if the function is in cell D2.

COLUMNS

Returns the number of columns in the cell reference passed.

Syntax:

COLUMNS(Zellbereich)

Example:

This formula returns 4: COLUMNS(A1:D6)

CONCATENATE

Joins multiple strings together.

Syntax:

CONCATENATE (Text1; Text2; Text3)

Up to 30 substrings can be transferred.

Alternatively, the operator "&" can be used.

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FV

Based on regular, constant payments and a constant interest rate, this function returns the future value (final value) of an
investment (capital investment).

Syntax

FV(Zins; Zzr; Rmz; [Bw]; [F])

Interest is the interest rate per period (payment period).

zzr indicates over how many periods the respective annuity (pension) is paid.

Rmz is the amount (annuity) paid in each period. This amount remains constant during the term
stant.

PV is the present value, or the total value today of a series of future payments. If the argument Bw is omitted, it is assumed to
be 0.

F can take the value 0 or 1 and indicates when payments are due. If the argument F is missing, it is assumed to be 0.

Fill F with 0 1 When payments are due

at the end of a period
at the beginning of a period

A notice:

You should make sure that you use matching time units for interest and nper. If you make monthly payments on a four-year
loan with an annual interest rate of 12%, you must enter 12%/12 for Interest and 4*12 for Nper. If you make annual payments
on the same loan, enter 12% for interest and 4 for nper.

For all arguments, the amounts of money you pay out (e.g., savings) are represented by negative numbers, and the amounts
of money you earn (e.g., dividends) are represented by positive numbers.

Examples:

FV(0.5%; 10; -200; -500; 1) returns 2581.40

FV(1%; 12; -1000) gives $12,682.50

COUNT

Syntax

COUNT (Werteliste)

The value list can contain 30 individual values.

Remarks:

COUNT only counts numeric values, logical values, date values, or textual representations of dates. Empty cells, logical
values, text, and error values are ignored when you pass a range of cells.

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Examples:

COUNT(5; 6; "Q2") returns 2.

COUNT("03/06/94"; "06/21/94"; "10/19/94") returns 3.

COUNTA

Returns the number of non-empty values in the passed list.

Syntax:

COUNTA(List)

The "list" parameter can contain up to 30 expressions, separated by the Windows list separator (usually the semicolon
";").

COUNTA returns the number of cells in the range. Zero values are counted, but empty cells are not.

Examples:

COUNTA(32; 45; "Example"; " ") returns 4.

COUNTA(C38:C40) returns 0 if this range on the worksheet is empty.

COUNTIF

Returns the number of values in a range that match a given criterion.

Syntax:

COUNTIF (range; criteria)

DATE

Returns a serial number for the date, similar but not identical to the Julian date.

Syntax:

DATE(year; month; day)

Year must contain a number between 1900 and 2078. Between 1920 and 2019, two digits are sufficient for
specification.

Month must be between 1 and 12. A value > 12 is added to January of the given year.

Day values that are greater than the number of days in the passed month are treated analogously.

Examples:

This function call returns 34506: DATE(94; 6; 21).

This call returns 36225: DATE(99; 3; 6)

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DATEVALUE

Returns a serial number for the date passed as text. The text containing the date must conform to the current Windows
date format settings.

Date values between 1/1/1900 and 12/31/2078 are possible.

Example:

DATEVALUE("2/3/96") returns 35098.

DAY

Returns the day of the given date.

The date can be passed as text (e.g. "12/1/1996") or as a serial date (e.g. 35123).

Examples:

DAY(35123) returns 28.

DAY("12/1/1996") returns 1.

DB

Returns the declining balance depreciation of an asset for a specific period.

Syntax:

DB(est_value, salvage, useful_life, period, [months])

Ansch_Wert is the acquisition cost of an asset.

residual value is the residual value at the end of its useful life.

Useful life is the number of periods over which the asset is depreciated.

Period is the period whose depreciation amount you want to calculate. The period argument must use the
same unit of time as the useful life.

Sweet is the number of months in the first year of use. If the argument is not specified, all 12 months of the
first year of use are used.

Example:

DB(10000;1000;7;3) returns 1451.52.

DDB

Returns the double-declining balance depreciation of an asset for a specific period.

Syntax

DDB(anc_value, salvage, useful_life, period, [factor])

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Ansch_Wert is the acquisition cost of an asset.

residual value is the residual value at the end of its useful life.

Useful life is the number of periods over which the asset is depreciated.

Period is the period whose depreciation amount you want to calculate. The period argument must use the same
unit of time as the useful life.

Factor determines the rate by which the respective book value is reduced. If the factor argument is omitted, 2 is
assumed (the declining balance double rate depreciation).

A notice:

In the double-declining balance method, depreciation is calculated at an “accelerated” rate. Depreciation is highest in the first
period and decreases in subsequent periods. GDA calculates the depreciation of a period according to the following formula:

(Cost - sum of previous period depreciation) * factor / useful life

If you do not want declining-balance double-rate depreciation, you must change the factor.

Example:

DDB(10000;1000;7;3) returns 1457.7259.

ERROR.TYPE

Returns the index of the corresponding error value.

Syntax:

ERROR.TYPE(reference)

Reference is a valid cell reference.

Possible values are:

Number 1 error value
#NULL!
#DIV/0!
#VALUE!
2 #REF!
#NAME?
3456 #ON ONE!
7 #N/A
#N/A Other or no error

Example:

This function call returns 2 if cell A1 is divided by 0: ERROR.TYPE(A1)

EVEN and ODD

EVEN(x) rounds x up to the nearest even number. ODD(x) rounds up to the nearest odd number.

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Example:

EVEN(2030,45) returns 2032.

EXACT

EXACT(text1; text2) checks whether the two character strings text1 and text2 are identical. Upper and lower case is
taken into account.

Example:

EXACT("Test";"Test") returns TRUE, while EXACT("Test";"test") returns FALSE.

FIND

Matches a string within another string in a case-sensitive manner.

Syntax:

FIND(search text;text;[start position])

search text is the searched substring

Text is the text to search in

starting position is the position of the first character in the text from which to search. The first character has position
1. If the argument is missing, the search starts automatically from the first position.

Example:

FIND("Test";"A test offer to test";7) returns 21.

FLOOR

Rounds a number down to the nearest multiple of a quantity that specifies the desired precision.

Syntax

FLOOR ( x, precision)

x The number to round

accuracy The size to round to

Remarks:

It is always rounded down (regarding the absolute value of the number!). If the number specifying the precision is not
a valid numeric value, the function returns the #VALUE! return. If the arguments are of opposite sign, the #NUM!
returned.

Examples:

FLOOR(1.23459, 0.05) returns 1.2.

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FLOOR(-148.24, -20) returns -140.

HLOOKUP

Finds a column heading in a table and returns the contents of a cell that corresponds to a given row index.

Syntax:

HLOOKUP (search criterion;search range;row index)

Search Criterion A value, text, or cell reference that matches the value of a column heading in the
indicates search area

search area A reference to a table space in which to search. The cells in the first row of the search area can
contain numbers, text or logical values. The content in the first line must be sorted in ascending
order (e.g. -2, -1, 0, 2; A to Z; False, True). Text is not case-sensitive.

row index The row in the search area in which the value is searched. The row index must be between 1 and
the number of rows in the search area. If the row index is <1, the error is worth #VALUE! returned.
If it is too big, #REF! returned.

The row with the column headings of the search area has the row index 1.

Remarks:

HLOOKUP compares the information in the header line of the search area with the given search criterion. If a match
is found, the contents of the cell in the same column specified by the row index are returned.

If the search criterion is not found, the largest value<search criterion is used. If the search criterion is smaller than the
smallest column entry, #REF! returned.

HOUR

HOUR (x) specifies the hour component of a time x in 24-hour format that was passed in serial date format (as a
serial date number with a fraction of a day).

Example:

HOUR(34259.41) returns 9 o'clock.

This function call returns 23: HOUR(34619,976).

IF

Checks a condition and returns predefined return values depending on the result.

Syntax:

IF (condition; value_if_TRUE; value_if_FALSE)

Condition a logical expression

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value_if_TRUE The return value if the condition is TRUE

value_if_FALSE The return value if the condition is FALSE

Example:

This function call returns Greater if the contents of A1>10, Less than otherwise: IF(A1>10;"Greater";
"Smaller")

INDEX

Returns the contents of a cell in a specified range.

Syntax:

INDEX (reference [; row] [;column] [;range number] )

Reference A cell reference across one or more ranges, for example A1:B5 or (A1:B5; D4:H7).
As can be seen from the second example, if several areas are passed, they must be enclosed in parentheses and
the individual references must be separated by semicolons.

If the range contains only one row or column, the argument for row or column can be omitted. The notation would
then be INDEX(A1:A15;3;;1), for example.

Line The line number in the referenced range

Split The column number in the referenced range

Area number specifies the number of the area in which to search. For example, in the case of (A1:A10, B1:B5,
D14:E23), the area number for A1:A10 is 1, for B1:B5 it is 2, and for D14:E23 it is 3.

INDIRECT

Returns the content of a cell referenced by the text in the cell passed.

Syntax:

INDIRECT(reference)

Reference is a reference to a cell containing a reference as text in A1 notation. Gives reference one
invalid cell reference, INDIRECT returns the #REF! error value.

Example:

If cell A1 contains the string B2, and cell B2 contains the value 1.333, then:
INDIRECT($A$1) returns 1.333

INT

INT(x) rounds x down to the integer <=x.

So INT(-12.5) returns -13, INT(12.5) returns 12.

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IPMT

Based on regular, constant payments and a constant interest rate, this function returns the interest amount that is paid in the
specified period.

Syntax:

IPMT(rate; per; nper; pv; [fv]; [F])

Interest is the interest rate per period.

Zr is the period for which you want to calculate the interest amount. Zr can only take on values in the range from 1 to
Nzr.

zzr indicates over how many periods the respective annuity (pension) is paid.

PV is the present value, or the total value today of a series of future payments.

Fw is the future value (end value) or cash balance that you want to have reached after the last payment. If the argument fw is
omitted, it is assumed to be 0 (for example, the final value of a loan is 0). (Zw = future value)

F can take the value 0 or 1 and indicates when payments are due. If the argument F is missing, it is assumed to be 0.
(F = due date)

Fill F with 0 1 When payments are due

at the end of a period
at the beginning of a period

Remark:

You should make sure that you use matching time units for interest and nper. If you make monthly payments on a four-year
loan with an annual interest rate of 12%, you must enter 12%/12 for Interest and 4*12 for Nper. If you make annual payments
on the same loan, enter 12% for interest and 4 for nper.

For all arguments, the amounts of money you pay out (e.g., savings) are represented by negative numbers, and the amounts
of money you earn (e.g., dividends) are represented by positive numbers.

Examples:

The following formula calculates how much interest is due in the first month on a loan of $8,000 that has a term of 3 years at
an annual interest rate of 10 percent:
IPMT(0.1/12; 1; 36; 8000) returns -66.66667.
IPMT(0.1; 3; 3; 8000) returns -292.4471.

IRR

Returns the IRR of an investment excluding financing costs or reinvestment gains. The numbers specified in the Values
parameter correspond to the payment series associated with the investment. These payments do not have to be equal, as is
the case with annuity payments. The internal rate of return is the rate of interest achieved on an investment consisting of
payments (negative values) and payments (positive values) made at regular intervals.

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Syntax:

IRR(values[; guess])

Values is an array of cells, or a reference to cells, that contain the numbers for which you want to calculate the IRR.

Values must contain at least one positive and one negative value in order for an IRR to be calculated.

IRR assumes that payments are made in the order in which they are specified in Values. You should therefore make
sure that you enter the deposits and withdrawals in the order you want them to be.

If an argument specified as an array or reference contains text, logical values, or empty cells, those values are ignored.

Guess is a number that you assume will approximate the result of the function.

An iteration method is used to calculate the IRR function. Starting with Guess, the IRR function runs until the result is
accurate to within 0.00001 percent. If IRR cannot obtain a suitable result within 20 iterations, the #NUM! issued.

In most cases, the calculation of IRR does not require providing an estimate. If guess is omitted, it is assumed to be
0.1 (10 percent).

LEFT

Returns a specified number of characters starting with the first (left) character of a string.

Syntax:

LEFT(Text;L)

Text String expression whose first (leftmost) characters are returned. If text no
contains valid characters, null is returned.

L Numeric expression specifying the number of characters to return. 0 returns an empty string. If L is greater
than or equal to the number of characters in text, the entire string is returned.

JUST

LEN(text) returns the number of characters in the string text.

Syntax:

LEN(Text)

Text is the text whose length you want to determine. Spaces count as characters.

LOG

LOG (x[;n]) returns the base n logarithm of the number x. If the argument n is missing, base 10 is used.

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LOOKUP

Searches for a value in one range and returns the content of the corresponding cell in another range.

Syntax:

LOOKUP (search value;search area;result area)

search value The value to search for in the search scope.

search area Cell range in which the search value is looked up. It can span one column or row and can contain numeric
values, text or logical values. The values must be sorted in ascending order. The search is not case-sensitive.

Results range Range of cells that spans one column or row and has the same extent as the search range.

Remarks:

If the search value does not find an exact match in the search area, the largest value<search value is used for the lookup in
the result area. If the search value is less than the smallest value in the search range, the #N/A error value is returned.

MATCH

A searched value is compared with the entries in a value table. The position of the closest value is returned.

Syntax:

MATCH (search value; search range; comparison)

search value The value against which the table entries are compared (numeric value, text, logical value or reference to
cells with one of these data types).

search area Area from a column or row in which the search value is searched for. The range can contain numerical
values, text or logical values.

Comparison A number indicating the type of comparison. If the argument is omitted, entry 1 is used.

If the value is 0, the position of the first value for which the comparison results in TRUE is returned. With this comparison
method, the values in the search area do not have to be sorted. If a value of 1 is specified for comparison, the largest value
that is <= search value is searched for. In this case, the search area must be sorted in ascending order.

For -1 as the value for comparison, the smallest value that is >= the search value is searched for. In this case, the search area
must be sorted in descending order.

Remarks:

When searching for text in the case of comparison method 0, "wildcards" can be used. * stands for multiple characters, ? for a
single indefinite character.

If no match is found for the search value, the return value is #N/A.

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MAX

MAX(value list) returns the largest value in the value list.

The value list can include 30 entries, separated by semicolons. The list can contain numerical values, character strings,
logical values or references to cells with such content.

MID

Returns a specified number of characters from a text starting at a specified starting position.

Syntax:

MID ( text; start position; count)

Text The string from which the returned characters are taken.

Start Position The position of the first character in text to be returned.

The position of the first character in text is 1. If start position>length of text, an empty string ( ) is returned.

Number The length of the string to be returned.

Example:

MID("Travel Cost"; 6; 4) returns "cost".

MIN

MIN(value list) returns the smallest value in the value list.

The value list can include 30 entries, separated by semicolons. The list can contain numerical values, character strings,
logical values or references to cells with such content.

MINUTE

MINUTE (x) specifies the minute component of a time x in 24-hour format that was passed in serial date format (as a serial
date number with a fraction of a day).

Example:

MINUTE(34259.41) returns 50.

MIRR

This function returns the modified internal rate of return that results from a series of periodic payments.
MIRR takes into account both the cost of each investment and the interest that results from reinvesting the money.

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Syntax:

MIRR(Values; Investment; Reinvest)

Values is a reference to cells containing numbers. These numbers correspond to a series of disbursements (negative
values) and deposits (positive values) occurring in periods of equal length.

Values must contain at least one positive and one negative value in order for the modified internal rate of return to be
calculated. Otherwise, MIRR returns the #DIV/0! error value.

If an argument specified as a reference contains text, logical values, or empty cells, these values are ignored.
However, cells containing the value 0 are taken into account.

Investment is the interest rate you charge for the monies paid.

Reinvestment is the interest rate you earn on reinvested funds.

MONTH

Returns the month of the given date.

The date can be passed as text (e.g. "12/1/1996") or as a serial date (e.g. 35123).

Examples:

MONTH(35123) returns 2.
MONTH("12/1/1996") returns 12.

Checks the value passed as an argument and returns it if it can be represented as a numeric value.

Syntax:

N (value)

value can be a value or a cell reference to a cell with a value.

Remarks:

Numeric values are returned as numeric values.

Serial values formatted as a date are returned as serial values.

For truth values, 1 (TRUE) or 0 (FALSE) is returned.

Example:

N(32467) returns 32457.

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NPER

This function returns the number of payment periods for an investment based on periodic, unchanging payments and a constant
interest rate.

Syntax:

ZZR(Interest; Rmz; Pw[; Pw] [; F])

Interest is the interest rate per period.

Rmz is the amount (the annuity) paid in each period. This amount cannot change during the term. Typically, Rmz includes
principal and interest, but not other fees or taxes.

PV is the present value, or the total value today of a series of future payments.

Fw is the future value (end value) or cash balance that you want to have reached after the last payment. If the argument fw is
omitted, it is assumed to be 0 (for example, the final value of a loan is 0).

F can take the value 0 or 1 and indicates when payments are due.

Assign F When payments are due

0 or not specified at the end of a period
1
at the beginning of a period

NPV

Returns the net present value (NPV) of an investment based on a discount factor for a series of periodic payments. The net
present value of an investment is the present value of a series of future payments (negative values) and payments (positive
values).

Syntax:

NBW(Sentence, Wert1, Wert2, ...)

interest is the discount rate for the duration of a period.

value1; value2... are 1 to 29 arguments corresponding to payouts and deposits.

value1; Wert2... must be made as payment transactions at constant time intervals and must be made at the end of a period.

NPV determined using the order of Value1; value2;... the order of payments. You must therefore ensure that you enter the
withdrawals and deposits in the correct order.

All arguments that are numbers, empty cells, logical values, or text numbers are considered. Arguments containing error values or
text that cannot be converted to a number are ignored.

If the argument is a reference, only those elements of the reference that contain numbers are considered.
Empty cells, boolean values, text or error values in the reference are ignored.

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OFFSET

Specifies the contents of a range of cells starting from a starting cell.

Syntax:

OFFSET ( Reference;Rows;Columns [;H] [;W] )

Reference The cell from which to go to the searched cell range.

lines The number of rows added to the position of the starting cell. Positive numbers refer to rows below
the starting cell.

columns The number of columns added to the position of the starting cell. Positive numbers refer to columns
to the right of the starting cell.

H Number of rows in the searched cell range. If H is not specified, a single row is referenced.

W Number of columns in the searched cell range. If W is not specified, a single column is referenced.

Examples:

This function call returns the contents of cell D4: OFFSET(B1; 3; 2; 1; 1)

This function call returns the sum of the values in the range E3:F5: SUM(OFFSET(A1; 2; 4; 3; 2))

PMT

This function returns the annuity of a loan or investment, assuming a constant interest rate.

Syntax:

PMT(rate; nper; pv[; fv] [; f])

Interest is the interest rate per period.

zzr indicates over how many periods the respective annuity (pension) is paid.

Pv is present value: the total amount that a series of future payments will have at the present time
is worth.

Fw is the future value (end value) or cash balance that you want to have reached after the last payment. If the argument
fw is omitted, it is assumed to be 0 (for example, the final value of a loan is 0).

F can take the value 0 or 1 and indicates when payments are due.

Assign F When payments are due

0 or not specified at the end of a period
1 at the beginning of a period

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PPMT

This function calculates the amortization portion of the repayments due for borrowed capital for the specified period.
Constant amounts and a constant interest rate are assumed for these repayments.

Syntax:

PPMT(rate; per; nper; pv[; fv] [; f])

Interest is the interest rate per period.

Zr specifies the period and must be in the range from 1 to nper.

zzr indicates over how many periods the respective annuity (pension) is paid.

Pv is present value: the total amount that a series of future payments will have at the present time
is worth.

Fw is the future value (end value) or cash balance that you want to have reached after the last payment. If the argument
fw is omitted, it is assumed to be 0 (for example, the final value of a loan is 0).

F can take the value 0 or 1 and indicates when the payments are due.

Assign F When payments are due

0 or not specified at the end of a period
1 at the beginning of a period

PROPER

Converts a string to a case-correct string.

Example:

PROPER("text example") returns text example.

PV

Returns the present value of an investment. Present value is the total amount that a series of future payments is worth
right now. For example, if you take out a loan, the amount of that loan to the lender is equal to the present value.

Syntax:

PV(rate; nper; pmt[; fv] [; f])

Interest is the interest rate per period. For example, if you take out a loan with an annual interest rate of 10% to buy a
car and pay that loan back in monthly installments, the monthly interest rate will be 10%/12, or 0.83%. So for
the interest rate you would have to enter one of the values 10%/12 or 0.83% or 0.0083 in the formula.

zzr indicates over how many periods the respective annuity (pension) is paid. For example, if you take out a 4-
year loan to finance a car, which you pay in monthly

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Paying back installments, the loan has a term of 4*12 (or 48) periods. So for nper you would have to enter 48.

Rmz is the amount (the annuity) paid in each period. This amount cannot change during the term. Typically, Rmz
includes principal and interest, but not other fees or taxes. For example, you have to pay back DM 263.33 per
month for a four-year car loan with an interest rate of 12%. So for Rmz you would have to enter -263.33.

Fw is the future value (end value) or cash balance that you want to have reached after the last payment. If the argument
fw is omitted, it is assumed to be 0 (for example, the final value of a loan is 0). For example, if you want to
save $50,000 to fund a specific project 18 years from now, the associated end value is $50,000. Using a
conservative estimate of the interest rate, you can now calculate how much you need to save each month.

F can take the value 0 or 1 and indicates when the payments are due.

Assign F When payments are due

0 or not specified at the end of a period
1 at the beginning of a period

RATE

Returns the interest rate of an annuity per period. RATE uses an iteration method to calculate an interest rate. It is
possible that there are no solutions or that there are several. If the differences of consecutive results of RATE do not
converge to 0.0000001 after 20 iterations, REAT returns the #NUM! error value.

Syntax:

RATE(nper, rms, pw[, fv] [, f] [, guess])

zzr indicates over how many periods the respective annuity (pension) is paid.

Rmz is the amount (annuity) paid in each period. This amount remains constant during the term. Typically Rmz
includes principal and interest, but not other fees or taxes
ern.

Pv is present value: the total amount that a series of future payments will have at the present time
is worth.

Fw is the future value (end value) or cash balance that you want to have reached after the last payment. If the argument
fw is omitted, it is assumed to be 0 (for example, the final value of a loan is 0).

F can take the value 0 or 1 and indicates when the payments are due.

Assign F When payments are due

0 or not specified at the end of a period 1 at the
beginning of a period

estimated value corresponds to your estimate of what the interest rate will be.

If you do not give an estimate, it will be estimated at 10%.

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REPLACE

Replaces a part of a string with another string.

Syntax:

REPLACE (text;start_position;n;new_text )

Text The original string.

Start position The position from which to insert the new string. The first character of text has position 1.

n Number of characters to replace.

New text The string to insert

Example:

The following function call returns "In 1984": REPLACE("In 1993";11;2;"84")

REPT

REPT(text, n) repeats the string text n times. The return value has a maximum of 255 characters.

Example:

REPT("error-", 3) returns error-error-error.

RIGHT

Returns a specified number of characters starting with the last (right) character of a string.

Syntax:

RIGHT(Text;R)

Text String expression whose last (rightmost) characters are returned. If text no
contains valid characters, null is returned.

R Numeric expression specifying the number of characters to return. 0 returns an empty string. If R is greater than or
equal to the number of characters in text, the entire string is returned.

ROUND, ROUNDDOWN und ROUNDUP

ROUND rounds a number to a specified precision, ROUNDDOWN rounds down, ROUNDUP rounds up..

Syntax:

ROUND (number,digits)

ROUNDDOWN (number,digits)

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ROUNDUP (number,digits)

Example:

ROUND(123.456, 2) returns 123.46.

ROUND(9899.435, -2) returns 9900.

ROW

Returns the row of the passed cell reference.

Syntax:

ROW(cell reference)

Examples:

ROW(B3) returns 3.

ROWS

Returns the number of rows in the cell reference passed.

Syntax:

ROWS(cell range)

Example:

This formula returns 5: ROWS(A1:D6)

SEARCH

Returns the position of the first character of a string in another string.

Syntax:

SEARCH (search text; text [; start position] )

search text The text you are looking for. To search for a * or ? to search, (~) must be specified before the character.
Otherwise, the "wildcards" * for any character string and ? can be used for a single character.

Text The string to search in.

Start Position The position of the character to search from. If the number is less than 0 or greater than the length of text,
#VALUE! returned. If the argument is omitted, the starting position is 1.

Remark:

The text is searched from left to right, starting with the character at the start position. It is not case-sensitive. If the search is
unsuccessful, the #VALUE! give back.

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Example:

This function call returns 6: SEARCH("?5"; "Bin b45")

SECOND

SECOND(x) specifies the second component of a time x in 24-hour format, which was passed in serial date format
(as a serial date number with a fraction of a day).

Example:

SECOND(34259.41) returns 24.

SLN

Returns the linear depreciation of an asset per period.

Syntax:

SLN(anc_value; salvage; useful life)

Ansch_Wert is the acquisition cost of an asset.

residual value is the residual value at the end of its useful life (often referred to as scrap value).

Useful life is the number of periods over which the asset is depreciated (also called useful life).
referred to as duration).

STDEV

Estimates the standard deviation based on a sample. The standard deviation is a measure of how far apart the values
are from the mean (average).

Syntax:

STDEV (value list)

Value list can contain a maximum of 30 values, separated by semicolons. A cell reference can also be specified.

Example:

STDEV(4.0, 3.0, 3.0, 3.5, 2.5, 4.0, 3.5) returns 56.

STDEVP

Calculates the standard deviation based on the population. All values are assumed to be given as arguments. The
standard deviation is a measure of how far apart the values are from the mean (average).

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Syntax:

STDEVP (value list)

Value list can contain a maximum of 30 values, separated by semicolons. A cell reference can also be specified.

Example:

STDEVP(4.0, 3.0, 3.0, 3.5, 2.5, 4.0, 3.5) returns 0.52.

SUBSTITUTE

Replaces the substring of a string with another.

Syntax:

SUBSTITUTE (text; old_text, new_text [;occurrence] )

Text The text string or a cell reference containing a text string in which to replace text.

alter_text The text to replace.

new text The text to insert.

Appear Specifies the number of occurrences of alter_text in text to replace. If this argument is omitted, the first
occurrence of old_text is replaced with new_text.

Examples:

SUBSTITUTE("first quarter earnings"; "first"; "second") returns: second quarter earnings

SUMIF

Returns the sum of the values in the specified range of cells if the specified criterion is met.

Syntax:

SUMIF (range; criteria; sum range)

Area The range of cells in which the criteria must be met.

criteria A numeric value, expression, or text that defines which cells to add. For example, criteria can be: 15, "15",
">15", "female".

Sum range The range in which the cells are located whose contents are to be summed, if the corresponding cells in "Range"
meet the criteria. If the argument is omitted, the cell contents are summed in range.

SOUTH

Returns the arithmetic declining balance depreciation of an asset for a specific period.

This function is only conditionally applicable to German tax law.

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Syntax:

SYD(anc_value, salvage, useful life, zr)

Ansch_Wert is the acquisition cost of an asset.

residual value is the residual value at the end of its useful life (often referred to as scrap value).

Useful life is the number of periods over which the asset is depreciated (also called useful life).
referred to as duration).

Zr is the period and must use the same time unit as the useful life.

TEXT

Converts the passed numeric value and formats it into text using a formatting instruction.

Syntax:

TEXT ( number; format )

Number A numeric value or a cell reference to a cell containing a numeric value.

FORMAT A string representing a numeric format. This can be any valid format directive such as "General," "M/DD/YY," or "H:MM
AM/PM." The format specification must be enclosed in quotation marks.

Examples:

TEXT(123.62, "0.000") returns 123.620.

TEXT(34626.2, "MM/DD/YY") returns 10/19/94.

TIME

Returns a serial value for a time based on the passed parameters hms.

Syntax:

TIME ( h; m; s )

h Hours, between 0 and 23.

m minutes, between 0 and 59.

s Seconds, between 0 and 59.

Example:

TIME(12; 26; 24) returns 0.5183333333.

TIMEVALUE

Returns a serial value for the text representation of a time.

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Syntax:

TIMEVALUE ( Text )

Example:

TIMEVALUE("1:01:22") returns 0.04261574074.

TRUNK

Truncates the number passed as an argument to 0 or a specified number of decimal places.

Syntax:

TRUNC (number [; digits] )

If places is not specified, it is truncated to 0 places.

There is no rounding, TRUNC simply truncates the fractional part of the number.

Examples:

TRUNC(123.456, 2) returns 123.45.

TRUNC(9899.435, -2) returns 9800.

TYPE

Returns the argument type of the given expression.

Syntax:

TYPE ( expression )

The following values are returned by TYPE: 1

numerical value
2 string
4 logical value
16 error value

Examples:

TYPE(A1) returns 1 if there is a number in A1.

TYPE("example text") returns 2.

VALUE

Converts a given text into a numeric value.

Syntax:

VALUE (Text)

Text is a string, formula, or cell reference. A valid date format can also be passed. If a format cannot be converted, the
#VALUE! returned.

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Examples:

VALUE(9800) returns 9800.

VALUE("123") returns 123.

VDB
This function calculates the amount of depreciation to be taken into account for an asset for the depreciation period
you specify, including partial periods. The calculation is based on the double-declining balance method or another
method specified by you. VDB stands for Variable Declining Balance.

Syntax:

VDB(start_value, salvage, useful_life, start, end, factor, don't_switch)

Ansch_Wert is the acquisition cost of an asset.

residual value is the residual value at the end of its useful life (often referred to as scrap value).

Useful life is the number of periods over which the asset is depreciated (also called useful life).
term of the asset).

Beginning is the first period to consider when calculating a depreciation amount. Begin must be in the same
time unit as Useful Life.

End is the last period to be considered for the calculation of a depreciation amount. End must be in the
same time unit as useful life.

Factor is the amount by which depreciation decreases. If the factor argument is omitted, it is assumed to
be 2 (the double-rate declining balance method). If you do not want to use the double-declining
balance method, you must enter a different factor. You can find a description of the declining-
balance double-rate depreciation method under the GDA function.

don't_switch is a logical value that indicates whether to switch to straight-line depreciation when the calculated
depreciation amount is greater than that calculated by geometric depreciation.

If not_change is set to TRUE, the linear depreciation method is not used even if the calculated
depreciation amount is greater than that of the geometric depreciation.

If non_change is FALSE or not specified, the system switches to straight-line depreciation if the
depreciation amount calculated is greater than that of geometric depreciation.

Except for not_switch, all arguments must be positive numbers.

A notice:

The VDB function is only conditionally applicable to German tax law.

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VLOOKUP

Finds an occurrence of a search value in the first column of a value table and returns the contents of a cell
corresponding to the location where the search value was found.

Syntax:

VLOOKUP (lookup value;cell range;column index)

search value The value (number, text, or cell reference) to look up in the first column of the cell reference.

cell range A range of cells to look up for the search value. The first column in the cell range must contain
numerical values, text or logical values and must be sorted in ascending order.
The search is not case-sensitive.

Column index The column in the search area in which the value to be returned is located. He can between
cal 1 and the number of columns in the cell range.

Remarks:

VLOOKUP compares the information in the first column of the cell range with the lookup value. If a match is found,
the value in the column specified by column_index is returned.

If no match is found, the largest value <= the search value is returned. If the search value is less than the smallest
value in the first column of the cell range, the #REF! given back.

WEEKDAY

Returns the day of the week of the given date.

Syntax:

WEEKDAY (serial_date)

serial_date can be a serial date or the textual representation of a date (such as 12/2/1997).

WEEKDAY returns values between 1 (Sunday) and 7 (Saturday).

Examples:

WEEKDAY(34399.92) returns 1 for Sunday.

WEEKDAY("6/21/94") returns 3 for Tuesday.

YEAR

Returns the year of the given date.

The date can be passed as text (e.g. "12/1/1996") or as a serial date (e.g. 35123).

Examples:

YEAR(35123) returns 1996.

YEAR("12/1/1991") returns 1991.

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5 Technical Reference

Optional components
By default, Ephemeris Tool calculates with a fast but (comparatively) imprecise implementation of Newcomb's analytical
planetary theories. In addition, the installation of DLLs is planned, which enable calculations based on highly accurate
but slow planetary theories.

Installing additional DLLs (or upgrading existing placeholder DLLs of the same name) affects Ephemeris and Settings
menu commands.

The following dlls are available for upgrade:

Ephemeris calculation file vsop87a.dll Cartesian position and velocity vectors

not required vsop87c.dll including the Earth-Moon system
location and speed highly accurate vsop87d.dll and

location highly accurate not required

vsop82.dll Only orbital elements of the major planets

For high-precision moon coordinates there is the elp2000.dll.

With the command File|File tools|Create databases you can create files containing positions for the sun and planets
according to the VSOP87C theory (these files are already included in the CD version). From these positions, ephemeris
or positions for calculating perturbations in numerical integrations can be interpolated quite quickly and accurately. To
do this, you must copy these files to the Ephemeris Tool working directory. A new menu item "Settings|Read positions
from file..." is then available. This mode is almost as accurate as the VSOP87C mode, but much faster. It is also
significantly faster for numerical integrations of comet or planetoid orbits than when using Newcomb's theories. However,
the files require 27 - 40 MB of storage space.

File Formats in Ephemeris Tool

The Ephemeris Tool spreadsheets can be saved or opened in the following formats:
1. Excel 5 - Format (*.xls).
2. Text file separated by tabs (*.txt).
3. Excel 4 - Format (*.xls).
4. Text file in *.csv format, columns are separated by separators (semicolon, ";")
Saving in the two Excel formats (especially Excel 5) is recommended, although the older Excel 4 format has the
advantage that the files generated are usually smaller.

The text formats only save the active worksheet of an Ephemeris tool file! The other spreadsheets are lost if the file is
not also saved in an *.xls format.

Of course, Ephemeris Tool can also read files in the formats mentioned that were created with Excel or other
spreadsheets. However, not all features of Excel are supported (especially not VBA modules).

To read in the *.csv format, the field separator can be specified via Settings|Table options.

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Since Excel 5 in particular is, in my experience, an extremely mature, comfortable and stable all-round product, I can only strongly
recommend further processing of a raw table created with Ephemeris Tool in Excel.

A notice:

When the spreadsheet interface is disabled, the *.xls formats are not available. Instead, the tables in the data grid view can be
saved and loaded in a proprietary Ephemeris Tool file format (*.ept).

File formats for data files

Ephemeris Tool has two proprietary data formats for asteroid and comet orbit elements: a text format (*.csv) and a machine-
readable format (*.ocf). In addition, foreign formats can also be loaded in the dialog boxes for entering path elements.

For more information about the file formats for geographic coordinates, orbital elements, surface formations, variables, user-
defined catalogs with stars or nebulae, or integration seeds that can be read and edited by the user, see the following help topics:

Format of files with geographic coordinates

Geographical coordinates can be stored in external text files with the "*.csv" format and, if necessary, loaded via the menu item
Time and location|Choose location.

In order for such files to be read by the program without errors, the following conventions must be strictly observed:

1. The decimal separator is the comma.

2. Names for objects may only be assigned once. For different data on an object, ver
Different names can be used (e.g. Mannheim, Mannheim-Planetarium, etc.).
3. Each file must begin with the following string of characters to be copied:
:ORTDATEI AD!

Comment lines must be introduced by a ":". They are only possible at the beginning of the file. After a complete data record, no
further information may follow! In particular, there should be no spaces at the beginning of a line. Each line should either contain a
valid record or start with a colon (then it will be ignored).

The order of the data entries - separated for each value by ";" and for each data set by a line break (ENTER key) - is

name, longitude, latitude, timezone, add_minutes, zip code

Name: a string
Length: geogr. Longitude (east: negative)
Width: geogr. Broad
Time zone: difference to world time in hours (east: positive, only whole hour values are possible)
Add_Minutes: Additional difference to the world time in minutes (east: positive).
Zip code: Zip code, this data field can be omitted

In contrast to the orbit element files, the angles are specified in hours or degrees and minutes/seconds separated by commas (i.e.
about 23.5959 for 24 degrees less 1 arc second)

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The supplied file orte.csv not only serves as a basic setting if Ephemeris Tool is not preconfigured to another file (using ephtl4.ocf),
but also as a template for your own files. If the prescribed file structure, the order of the data and the syntax of the separators are
not strictly adhered to, incorrect output may occur and data records are not offered under Select location.

The sea level also processed by Ephemeris Tool cannot be saved.

Format of files with orbital elements for planetoids

Orbital elements for planetoids or comets can be stored in external text files with the "*.csv" format and, if required, loaded via the
menu item Objects|Planetoids. In addition to "*.csv", "*.txt" is also possible as an extension.

In order for such files with path elements to be read by the program without errors, the following conventions must be strictly
observed:

1. The decimal separator is the comma (e.g. 3.14159)

2. Names for objects may only be assigned once. Different names must be used for different data on an object (for oscillating
elements, e.g. Ceres1994, Ceres1995, etc.).
3. Each file must begin with the following string, which is to be copied exactly, in the first line:
:a;e;i;node;per;m;n;equinox;epoch;h;g

Comment lines must be introduced by a colon (":"). They are only possible at the beginning of the file. After a complete data
record, no further information may follow! In particular, there should be no spaces at the beginning of a line. Each line should
either contain a valid record or start with a colon (then it will be ignored).

The order of the data entries - separated for each value by ";" and for each data set by a line break (ENTER key) - is

name, a, e, i, kn, per, m, n, equin, Epoche(JD), force

Name: a string
a: semimajor axis in AE
e: numerical eccentricity
i: Orbital inclination against the ecliptic
kn: length of the ascending node
per: distance of the perihelion from the node
m: mean anomaly to the epoch
n: daily exercise
aequin: Äquinoktium der Bahnlageelemente
Epoch (JD): Mean Anomaly Epoch (as Julian datum)
H: usual parameter to calculate the visual size.
G: second parameter used mainly for comets to calculate the visual size (can be left empty).

Note: The daily movement value can be "0" if you don't know it. Then Ephemeris Tool calculates the daily motion assuming the
object is "massless". In any case, however, the data column for "n" must be filled out (that is, either 0 or a realistic value).

The angles are given in degrees, decimal places (ie about 123.4559).

If the more or less optional specification of the brightness parameter is not possible, a "meaningless" but numerically valid value
(0) should be entered here (which of course makes the resulting calculated values invalid).

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The supplied file planeten.csv not only serves as a basic setting if Ephemeris Tool is not preconfigured to another file (using
ephtl4.ocf), but also as a template for your own files. If the specified file structure, the order of the data and the syntax of the
separators are not strictly adhered to, there may be incorrect output or data records are not offered in the program.

Format of comet orbit element files

Orbital elements for comets can be stored in external text files with the "*.csv" format and, if required, loaded via the Objects|
Comets menu item. In addition to "*.csv", "*.txt" is also possible as an extension.

In order for such files to be read by the program without errors, the following conventions must be strictly observed:

1. The decimal separator is the comma (e.g. 3.14159)

2. Names for objects may only be assigned once. Different names must be used for different data on an object (eg Halley 1912,
Halley 1986, etc. for oscillating elements).
3. Each file must begin with the following string of characters to be copied:
:name;q;e;i;node;per; equinox;tm of per.(jd);epoche (jd);h;g

Comment lines must be introduced by a colon (":"). They are only possible at the beginning of the file. After a complete data
record, no further information may follow! In particular, there should be no spaces at the beginning of a line. Each line should
either contain a valid record or start with a colon (then it will be ignored).

The order of the data entries - separated for each value by ";" and for each data set by a line break (ENTER key) - is

name, q, e, i, kn, per, aequin, Perihelzeit (JD), H, G, Epoche (JD).

Name: a string
q: Bahnparameter in AE
e: the numerical eccentricity
i: Orbital inclination against the ecliptic
kn: length of the ascending node
per: distance of the perihelion from the node
aequin: Äquinoktium der Bahnlageelemente
Perihelion (JD): Time of perihelion (as Julian date)
H, G: the usual parameters for calculating the visual size
Epoch (JD): Time of exact validity of the oscillating orbital elements (as Julian date)

The angles are given in degrees, decimal places (ie about 123.4559).

If the more or less optional specification of the brightness parameters is not possible, "meaningless" but numerically valid values
(0) should definitely be entered here (which of course makes the resulting calculated values invalid).

The file may contain a maximum of 10000 data records. Longer files are truncated when opened.

The comets.csv file supplied not only serves as a basic setting if Ephemeris Tool is not preconfigured to another file (using
ephtl4.ocf), but also as a template for your own files. If the specified file structure, the order of the data and the syntax of the
separators are not strictly adhered to, incorrect output may occur and data records will not be offered in the program.

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Format of files with variable stars

In order to be able to calculate the maximum and minimum times of variable stars with Ephemeris Tool, the coordinates and light
change elements must be loaded from external text files with the "*.csv" format. A file is selected via the Objects|Variables menu
item.

In order for such files to be read by the program without errors, the following conventions must be strictly observed:

1. The decimal separator is the comma.

2. Names for objects may only be assigned once. For different data on an object, ver
different names can be used (eg: Beta Lyrae 1995, Beta Lyrae 1996, etc.).
3. Each file must begin with the following string of characters to be copied:
:ELEMENTS VARIABLE ORION!**Elements for variable stars**

Comment lines must be introduced by a ":". They are only possible at the beginning of the file. After a complete data record, no
further information may follow! In particular, there should be no spaces at the beginning of a line. Each line should either contain a
valid record or start with a colon (then it will be ignored).

The order of the data entries - separated for each value by ";" and for each data set by a line break (ENTER key) - is

Name,RA,DK,MMax,MMin,Epoch,Period,Aequin,Type

Name: a string
RA: Rectal Ascension
DK: Declension
MMax: maximum brightness
MMin: minimum brightness
Epoch: Time of minimum or maximum as Julian date
Period: Distance between two minimum or maximum times in days and fractions of days
Aequin: Äquinoktium der Koordinaten RA und DK
Type: Type of variable according to the following code:
b: eclipsing variable
c: Cepheid
m: long-period (Mira) variable

The coordinates are expected in the format h,mm or g,mm (comma as separator).

The supplied file variab.csv not only serves as a basic setting if Ephemeris Tool is not preconfigured to another file (using
ephtl4.ocf), but also as a template for your own files. If the prescribed file structure, the order of the data and the syntax of the
separators are not strictly adhered to, incorrect output may occur.

Format of files with orbit elements for earth satellites

With the "Objects|Satellites" command you can, among other things, load a file with orbit elements for artificial earth satellites.
These files must be Windows text files with a *.tle extension. The format must correspond exactly to the "NORAD Two Line Orbital
Element Format".

Note that the orbital elements of satellites change in the short term. They often need updated records within a few days or weeks.
The current track elements are published regularly on the www.

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Here is an example of the NORAD-tle format:

To me
1 16609U 86017A 97199.76757194 - 00000087. 00000-0 52867-5 0 4696
2 16609 51.6551 287.2197 0003857 276.2210 83.8366 15.59550949651958
Lark 1
1 00424U 62049A 97196.66279883 .00000045 00000-0 42449-4 0 3037
2 00424 80.4637 255.4885 0024450 101.0664 259.3232 13.67899049736132
ATS 1
1 02608U 66110A 97196.68246129 -.00000048 00000-0 10000-3 0 279
2 02608 14.4853 348.5936 0005443 95.1667 264.9261 1.00294752 28810

Important: the *.tle text files must not contain any comments or blank lines. All records must be in this format:

1st line: name of the satellite,

2nd line: first set of data,
3rd line: second set of data.

The data set for the following satellite must not be separated by a blank line or anything else. Otherwise the entire
file would be read incorrectly.

If Ephemeris Tool cannot open a *.tle file, an example data set with elements of the Russian Mir station is loaded.
Of course, when you get Ephemeris Tool, the items will be outdated.

Format of files with seed values for numerical integrations

Start values for the integration of multi-body systems can be stored in external text files with the "*.csv" format and,
if necessary, loaded using the menu commands Integration|Open File.

In order for such files to be read by the program without errors, the following conventions must be strictly observed:

1. The decimal separator is the comma (e.g. 3.14159)

2. Each file must begin with the following string, which is to be copied exactly, in the first line:
:name;x;y;z;x1;y1;z1;1/m;jdequinox;jd

Comment lines must be introduced by a ":". After a complete data record, no further information may follow!

In particular, there should be no spaces at the beginning of a line. Each line should either contain a valid record or
start with a colon (then it will be ignored).

The first line (see above) serves as file identifier and legend at the same time. The order of the data entries -
separated for each value by ";" and for each data set by a line break (ENTER key) - is

Name: a string
x;y;z; heliocentric equatorial Cartesian coordinates of the position vector
x1;y1;z1; heliocentric equatorial Cartesian coordinates of the velocity vector
1/m: Reciprocal of mass in units of solar mass. "0" is expected for massless bodies (don't worry, division by 0
doesn't happen!)
jdequinox: Julian datum of the equinox of the coordinates. All coordinates of all bodies must refer to the same
equinox!
jd: Julian datum of the coordinates. All coordinates of all bodies must be given for the same point in time!

Since a maximum of 14 bodies can be integrated, data sets from No. 15 onwards are ignored.

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For the conditions in the solar system, it is appropriate to define body 1 as the "sun". The first record should then have this form:

Sun;0;0;0;0;0;0;1;2451545;2450600.5

where the Julian dates (equinox and epoch) must of course agree with those of the other fields.

The supplied file "14körper1997.csv" not only serves as a basic setting if Ephemeris Tool is not preconfigured to another file
(using ephtl4.ocf), but also as a template for your own files. If the prescribed file structure, the order of the data and the syntax of
the separators are not strictly adhered to, incorrect output may occur.

Format of surface feature files

Surface features on Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be stored in external text files with the format "*.csv" and loaded if necessary
via the button "Load from file with surface features" in the dialog "Transit times of a surface feature". In this way, the necessary
information (name, length) for calculating an ephemeris with transit times through the central meridian can be quickly loaded
from a large number of stored surfaces or cloud formations.

In order for such files to be read by the program without errors, the following conventions must be strictly observed:

1. The decimal separator is the comma.

2. Each file must begin with the following string of characters to be copied:
:LONGITUDES!

Comment lines must be introduced by a ":". After a complete data record, no further information may follow! In particular, there
should be no spaces at the beginning of a line. Each line should either contain a valid record or start with a colon (then it will be
ignored).

The order of the data entries - separated for each value by ";" and for each data set by a line break (ENTER key) - is

Rotation system, length, designation

Rotation system: one of the following precisely defined character strings:

Mars for Mars
Jupiter1 for the rotation system1 of Jupiter
Jupiter2 for the rotation system 2 of Jupiter
Saturn1 for the rotation system 1 of Saturn
Saturn3 rotation system 3 of Saturn.
Longitude: the object's planetographic longitude in degrees.
Description: a descriptive name for the surface or cloud formation.

The supplied Longitud.csv file not only serves as a basic setting if Ephemeris Tool is not preconfigured to another file (using
ephtl4.ocf), but also as a template for your own files. If the prescribed file structure, the order of the data and the syntax of the
separators are not strictly adhered to, incorrect output may occur; data records are not offered in the 5 combo boxes of the
"Transit times of a surface feature" dialog.

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Format of observation files for orbital determinations

Ephemeris Tool knows two formats for files with observations:

1. The binary "*.obs" format. You can create it by displaying a file with track elements and then saving it in this format.

2. Text files with observations. You can create them in the same way as *obs files or via
any text editor, even outside of Ephemeris Tool.

The structure of the text files is (do not enter the line number!):

1 ephtl observations
2 1997.8
3 2000.0
4 1997 11 22 22.133 22 37 00.2 -21 00 09 0 0 0 7.1 -7 22 12.30 51 51 40.00
5 1997 11 24 22.133 22 38 14.00 -20 45 25 0 0 0 7.3 0 0 0.00 51 51 40.00
6 1997 11 28 22.133 22 40 53.6 -20 15 05 0 0 0 7.5 -7 22 12.30 51 51 40.00
7 1997 12 02 22.133 22 43 48.2 -19 43 39 0 0 0 7.8 -7 22 12.30 51 51 40.00
8 (etc.)

Line 1: file identifier - must be taken verbatim in such a way that

Line 2: equinox of observations,
Line 3: Equinox of the (calculated) orbital elements,
Line 4 - 6 and more: data sets with observations in the following format:
yyyy mm dd hh.xxxx hh mm ss.xx +/-gg.mm.ss.x xx.xx gg.mmssx gg.mmssx, (year, month, day, UT, RA, Dec, mag [visual],
geogr . longitude, geographical latitude).

Decimal places can be omitted, including leading zeros. Important: regardless of the Windows regional settings, the
decimal separator in this format must be a period (.).

Format of files with table configurations (*.etd)

These are binary, machine-readable files that you can create in the “Configure Ephemeris Table Display” dialog (Settings|
Configure Tables, F8) in order to be able to save and quickly reconstruct configurations that may have taken a long time
to work out.

Format of files with formatting for ephemeris sizes (*.epf)

These are binary, machine-readable files. You create them in the “Specify Formats and Decimal Places” dialog, which you
can access via Settings|Data Formats (F8). With these files you can save and quickly reconstruct compilations of formatting
and decimal places for the ephemeris sizes that have been created with great effort.

Format of files with status vectors

These are text files that you create via Tools|Orbit Determination|Get Status Vector and read them in the "Residuals" dialog
(Tools|Orbit Determination|Orbit Improvement).

The files are very small. An example:

ephtl statevector
2000
2.45217174311300E+0006

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1.08180640000000E+0000
-8.64053600000000E-0001
-4.46885000000000E-0002
5.45308800000000E-0001
6.97887800000000E-0001
2.08010000000000E-0003

The first line contains an identifier. Then comes the equinox and then the values for x, y, z and the first derivatives
(vx, vy, vz).

Files for orbital elements in binary (machine-readable) format

With Ephemeris Tool you can calculate ephemeris for more than 16000 (exactly 16382) user-defined objects
(planetoids, comets) at the same time. It therefore makes sense to create csv files with track elements of this size.

However, reading in such files takes quite a long time. The loading time can be roughly halved if the path elements
are not in text files but in binary format files.

Two binary formats are defined in Ephemeris Tool:

1. *.opl: files with orbital elements for planetoids,

2. *.oko: files with orbital elements for comets.

Create and use binary files

Using planetoids as an example, it is explained below how you can create and use binary files.

• Choose Settings|Planetoids.
• In the "Orbit elements for a Kepler ellipse" dialog, open a *.csv file with orbit elements via the "Open file with
orbit elements" button. To do this, you must select "Planetoids *.csv" as the file type.
• Now click the "Save as binary file" button and assign a file name.
• Now click the "Open file with track elements" button again. Now select File
wahldialog as file type "Planetoids (binary)".
• If you switch to the folder in which the *.opl file generated above is located, you can use it
open.
• If necessary, store the now loaded *.opl file as default in a configuration file.

The file format of custom catalogs

Custom catalogs must be in *.csv format. You can create this format with spreadsheets, databases, or editors.
To a certain extent, you can also edit existing files in the program itself.

The advantage of this format is its universality. The disadvantage is that reading into Ephemeris Tool is relatively
slow. User-defined catalogs should therefore not become too large.

Important: When creating your own catalogues, you must strictly adhere to the file format described below. The
best way to do this is to use the example file “user.csv” as a model.

File format:

Data sets are separated by newlines, the individual data fields by semicolons (;). The decimal separator is the
comma (,). Comment lines are introduced by ":" - Ephe meris Tool ignores such lines when reading in (with the
exception of the first line, see below).

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Each file must begin with exactly the following line:

:EPTHL USER

After this entry there must be no ";"!

data fields

:name;RA(hh,mmssd);DEC(gg,mmssd);ProperMotionRA(sec per year, as Seconds of TIME!);ProperMotionDEC(sec per

year, as seconds of DEGREE);Epoche and Equi nox(year with decimals);Magnitude (m,d...)

name: Katalogname Object

RA: Right ascension in hh, mmssd
DEC: declination in gg,mmssd
ProperMotionRA : Proper motion in right ascension as time seconds per year
ProperMotionDEC: Proper motion in declination as arcseconds per year
Epoch and Equinox: Epoch of proper motion and equinox (as year with decimals)
Magnitude: brightness, also maximum brightness of a variable

configuration files
All Ephemeris Tool settings (period and composition of the ephemeris, location, column headings, currently used orbit
elements for asteroids
and comets, settings for the planetary theories, etc.). This allows settings that have been put together with great effort to
be backed up and restored quickly.

A file ephtl4.ocf in the Ephemeris Tool program directory is loaded automatically every time the program is started.
However, the start date for a table is ignored: Ephemeris Tool always starts with the current computer date.

International settings
Ephemeris Tool takes the formats for dates, times, decimals, list separators, etc. directly from your Windows installation.
Input and output take place, as far as possible, taking into account your default settings in the Windows control panel.

All dialogs that expect date and time information now allow you to enter the year, month, day (from a calendar) and hours,
in addition to the formats usual in Germany (dd.mm.yyyy and hh:mm:ss). Minutes and seconds as separate numerical
values.

Custom data files (*.csv files) must always be in the format described in this help. With regard to list separators and
decimal points, your Windows preferences are ignored here.

Foreign formats (import and export of track elements)

Ephemeris Tool allows loading and saving path elements in the following formats:

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Of the planets

Home-Planet:

Name,Magnitude H,Magnitude G,Mean anomaly,Arg. perihelion,Long. node,Inclination,Eccentricity,Semimajor axis,Epoch (MJD)

1 Ceres ,3.34,0.12,164.707349, 73.034092, 80.599522, 10.584034,0.07652427, 2.77017611,50600
2 Pallas ,4.13,0.11,152.162189,309.777192,173.270855, 34.808687,0.23316932, 2.77199251,50600

ASTORB-Database:

1 Ceres E. Bowell 3.34 0.12 0.72 913.0 G? 0 0 0 0 0 0 57390 4839 19970601 164.707349 73.034092 80.599522
10.584034 0.07652427 2.77017611 19970602 1.8E-02 9.3E-05 19970619 2.4E-02 19970829 3.1E-02 20040110 3.1E-02 20040110
2 Pallas E. Bowell 4.13 0.11 0.66 523.0 m 0 0 0 0 0 10 57421 5635 19970601 152.162189 309.777192 173.270855 34.808687 0.23316932
2.77199251 1 9970507 1.6E-02 4.2E-05 19970619 1.7E-02 19970718 3.9E-02 20000201 3.9E-02 20000201

MPC Asteroid Database and Files:

Des’n H G Epoch M Peri. Node Incl. It is n It is

Reference #Obs #Opp Arc rms
Perts Computer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

00001 3.34 0.12 J991M 292.33630 73.93568 80.49834 10.58392 0.0780542 0.21429037 2.7656737 MPC 24219 4676 62 1839-
1994 0.54 M-v 30 Bowell 0000 (1) Ceres
00002 4.13 0.11 J991M 279.64754 310.05322 173.20905 34.85229 0.2299910 0.21322220 2.7749027 MPC 24084 5482 63 1839-
1993 0.55 Mc 28 Bowell 0000 (2) Pallas

Important: the header must be included in the file (as shown above). The introductory text, on the other hand, is not
important. The file can also be shortened.

SkyMap:

(1) Ceres 1994 09 5.000 312.377 2.767430 0.076160 71.415 80.658 10.601 3.30 0.12
(2) Pallas 1994 09 5.000 298.543 2.771670 0.233980 309.692 173.305 34.807 4.10 0.11

Saving is possible in the following formats: home planet, skymap. In addition, saving in the Ephemeris Tool formats
*.csv and *.opl (binary) is provided.

comets

Home-Planet:

Name,Perihelion time,Perihelion AU,Eccentricity,Long. perihelion,Long. node,Inclination,Semimajor axis,Period

NAKAMURA-NISHIMURA-MACHHOLZ (1994m),1994-7-10.627,1.18077,1,119.368,161.397,94.963,,Parabolic
McNAUGHT-HARTLEY (1994n),1995-1-6.084,1.94029,1,344.135,28.571,17.887,,Parabolic

SkyMap:

Helin-Lawrence (1991l) 1992 01 20.027 1.517720 1.000437 271.157 11.136 95.450 11.4 -0.1
P/Chernykh (1991o) 1992 01 25.441 2.356268 0.593637 263.194 129.743 5.082 6.0 6.0

Guide 6.0 (Project Pluto):

1997 GD32 1.00000 6 1997 356.27031 0.8387199 0.5981167 5.32428 225.14478 56.32725 2000.0 21.5 0.15
A
1997 GF3 2.00000 4 1997 3.7437800 1.7770200 0.4176027 42.0782500 351.6957700 195.5226500 2000.0 17.5
0.15 A

www pages of the Minor Planet Center (*.txt format):

Designation Perihero. q CK02C010 peri It is kn i Epoch/empty HG designation

2002 03 18.9784 0.507061 0.990111 34.6666 93.3718 28.1206 7.5 4.0 C/2002 C1 (Ikeya-Zhang)

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Saving is possible in the following formats: home planet, skymap, guide, VDS specialist group comets. In addition,
saving in the Ephemeris Tool formats *.csv and *.oko (binary) is planned.

coordinate systems
The coordinates are given in three different reference systems:

1. generally as apparent coordinates of the datum (including corrections for precession, nutation, aberration and
time-of-flight),
2. as astrometric coordinates for the second, user-defined equinox (with corrections for precession and time of flight,
but without accounting for nutation and aberration, affects only right ascension and declination, default: J2000),

3. As apparent topocentric coordinates, related to the entered geographic location (rectas cension, declination,
distance and physical ephemeris; the latter only affects the relevant quantities for the moon, where there may
also be effects from the altitude above the sea level).
The heliocentric coordinates are geometric coordinates (without light travel time). The distances have the unit AE, in
the case of the moon, the distances are expressed in earth radii.

Numerically integrated positions always refer to the fixed equinox of the starting values. Also, the positions are
always astrometric - without taking into account aberration and time of flight!

For the height above the horizon (exactly 0.1°), the refraction can optionally be taken into account.

input format
Angular sizes (latitude and longitude) can be entered in the following formats: gg°mm'ss'', gg.mmss or gg.mmss.

When entering latitude and longitude, if you enter a [°] or ['] character, Ephemeris Tool interprets the numerical
value as in the format ° ' ''. If you enter [,] or [.] as the decimal separator and none of the above characters, the angle
is interpreted in decimal format.

All times are expected in the format <(h)h:m(m):s(s)>. Entering <10:2> is interpreted as "10 o'clock, 20 minutes" (as
opposed to entering <10:02>).

The difference DT=ET-UT (difference between universal time and ephemeris time) is expected in time seconds.

For the orbital elements for planetoids or comets, the angle sizes are to be entered in degrees with decimal places.
This is the usual format when specifying course elements.

Scope and accuracy of the calculation results

The ephemeris of the classical planets are calculated taking into account the mutual interference.
You can choose between a)
simplified but very fast calculation according to the older Newcomb theories (error <5" for the planets up to Mars, <
approx. 10" for the other planets, except Uranus (3-40" error) , for the moon
(Brownian theory) about 1" in length.
b) high-precision, but very slow calculation after the complete (or optionally shortened) VSOP87, the
the most modern planetary theory available at the time (only included in the full version of Ephemeris Tool).
choose. For the VSOP87, an accuracy of the order of 0.1" is given in the literature. The theory is fully taken into
account in Ephemeris Tool (which of course results in high computing times). So-

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When one of the VSOP87 theories is used, Ephemeris Tool calculates Pluto's ephemeris according to a series expansion
based on the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's DE200 integration.

The ELP2000 moon theory is also available in the full version. The accuracy is - in principle - in the meter range (!), in
any case far higher than most of the routines used in Ephemeris Tool for precession and the like.

For comets and asteroids, orbits are either

a) calculated according to the two-body problem. The oscillating elements can be used for this by hand or via file
be read in.
b) Or by numerical integration, taking into account the orbital perturbations of the planets. The accuracy achieved should
be sufficient for many practical purposes (observation). Since numeric integrations are very computationally intensive,
the number of decimal places evaluated during the calculation can be set between 8 and 15 (in principle, these are
the decimal places of the Cartesian coordinates in AE). The actual calculation accuracy is likely to be worse by 2 to
3 decimal places.

Precise planetoid positions (especially for conjunctions and events) can also be generated using pre-calculated
databases with oscillating orbital elements.

In addition to the basic function of the ephemeris calculation, Ephemeris Tool offers a wealth of other functions: e.g. For
example, the coordinates of the Gallilean moons of Jupiter (errors of the order of about 15 seconds in time), the lunar
phases and eclipses, solar eclipses and the (astronomical) seasons can be calculated. In addition, some arithmetic
functions are available that are useful for dealing with oscillating path elements.

Saturn's moons are calculated using a greatly simplified algorithm. Errors of the order of magnitude of approx. 100
minutes are possible.

Normally, all coordinates are given with an accuracy of 4 digits (exceptions: distance in AE to 5
digits, in the case of the moon earth radii to 2 digits). Physical ephemeris are usually required less precisely. Therefore,
the calculation methods used are not strictly applicable. The same applies even more in the case of atmospherically
influenced phenomena (rises/sets). Therefore, these sizes are rounded to a reasonable level.

You can specify the number of digits and the format for the output individually for each ephemeris size.

The hourly motion of a body (in equatorial coordinates or arcseconds and position angles) is calculated using some
simplifying assumptions. The accuracy should be sufficient for most practical cases.

An accuracy of 10-30 seconds can be expected for occultations.

The accuracy of the minimum and maximum times of variable stars depends directly on the quality of the light-changing
elements (epoch and period). Any necessary reduction to the geocentre is carried out with an accuracy of seconds.

With the menu command "?|Legend" you call up a description of the column headings in the ephemeral tables.

The following ephemeris sizes can be calculated with Ephemeris Tool 3:

• heliocentric ecliptical coordinates l, b, r, for planetoids and comets (according to the two-body problem)
also the mean anomaly,
• for planetoids and comets also Cartesian coordinates of the position and velocity vector, the latter also as equatorial-
heliocentric coordinates,

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• for asteroids and comets, heliocentric equatorial coordinates at the equinox in which the orbital elements are given, •
geocentric ecliptical
coordinates (Lg, Br, Rd), • apparent equatorial geocentric
coordinates of the datum (right ascension and declination), • hourly change of right ascension and
Declination as well as hourly movement and position angles
(except moon),
• ecliptical heliocentric as well as ecliptical and equatorial geocentric coordinates to a selectable, fixed epoch (e.g. the
standard epoch J2000), • the light time, • topocentric,
apparent
equatorial coordinates of the date, • topocentric, astrometric equatorial
coordinates to a fixed epoch (e.g e.g. J2000) • Rise/set as well as twilight times, culmination and
culmination height, • Horizon system (height, azimuth, hour angle). The effects of
refraction can optionally be taken into account
become.
• in the case of the sun, the equation of
time, •
elongation, • difference between object and sun in ekl. Length (useful for some purposes, not to be confused with the
elongation),
• phase angle, •
phase, •
visual magnitude, •
position angle of a planet's axis of rotation, • planetocentric
latitude of the Earth, • central meridian
(in the case of Jupiter and Saturn also for System II), • planetocentric latitude
and longitude of the Sun, • position angle of the sun,
• illumination defect, • diameter
(or radius in the case of
the sun and moon) of the disk, • in the case of Jupiter and Saturn also pole diameter,
• information on Saturn's ring, • in the case of the moon,
colongitude, latitude of the sun
and age of the moon .

Distances are given in AU (moon: earth radii) or million km (moon: km).

The following output variables are available for numerically integrated positions of planetoids and comets (and when using
the VSOP theories also for the large planets):

1. Output as coordinates •
Cartesian or polar, "heliocentric" (centered on body 1) or on another body (e.g. geocentric
ric) related •
ecliptical or equatorial 2.
Output as orbital elements: a, q , e, i, nodes, perihelion, perihelion length, M, n, perihelion time, equinox (year or
JD).

The dates and times can also be output as Julian dates.

Calculation method for the multi-body problem

Ephemeris of the sun, moon and planets

The positions of the major planets are calculated according to series expansions. The accuracy should be in the range of
1'' for the sun and 10'' for the outer planets.

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Numerically integrated ephemeris for planetoids or comets

If oscillating orbital elements for planetoids or comets are loaded, you can generate ephemeris for these
bodies by numerical integration - taking into account the gravitational influence of the planets.
To do this, calculations are made from the osculation epoch forwards or backwards in time to the
beginning of the ephemeral period. From there, the ephemeris is also generated by integration.

Use of predicted databases for planetoids

With Ephemeris Tool you can also use databases with numerically integrated, oscillating orbital elements
for calculations with planetoids. For the period of validity of these databases you will receive asteroid
locations with approx. 1'' accuracy (compare Objects|Planetoid Database).

Numerical integration for systems with 2 to 14 bodies

With Ephemeris Tool, the motion of 2 to 14 point masses can be determined by numerical integration.
Input and output are geared to the conditions in the solar system. i.a. all coordinates are reduced to the
first body as "central body". In addition, a body can be defined for "geocentric" coordinates (does not
have to be the earth!).

Input variables for the calculation are "heliocentric", "equatorial" Cartesian position and velocity vectors
as well as the masses in units of solar mass/body mass. For massless bodies (asteroids, comets) enter
0 (don't worry: the division solar mass/0 will be intercepted!).

There are two different calculation methods to choose from: integration using a simple Runge-Kutta
method with a fixed step size or using a multi-step method with variable step sizes according to Adams.

In the case of the Runge-Kutta method, the increment and number of integrations can be set. The system
of position and velocity vectors is carried along here up to the last iteration step. However, the entire
system can also be reset to the initial values.

The output values can expediently be saved in csv files and read in again from them.

It is always integrated over all defined bodies. However, the (very time-consuming) output can be limited
to fewer bodies.

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6 FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Problems after the update?

Up to version 4.5311, each major update usually involved a change in the format of the configuration
files. This problem has now been eliminated insofar as only major updates cause incompatibility with
the old file format.

If you now have an update that has new ephemeris sizes compared to the old version, your old
configuration files will be read. However, the new sizes appear with meaningless column headings ("neu/
new"). To get meaningful column headings, proceed as follows:

1. Go to Settings|Column Headers (Ctrl+F8)".

2. Click on the two buttons "Use standard for all sizes".

Ephemeris Tool then loads the defaults for labeling the table sizes. This makes the new sizes
recognizable.

You can also search for the “neu/new” entries in the above dialog. They are at the very bottom of the list
of ephemeris size descriptions. There you can enter your preferred description and manually increase
the column width (only for the simple grid, not the spreadsheet surface) from 0.

When I start the program, I get the error message

"License information for TVC-Formula One is invalid"
This error occurs when an older or newer version of an ocx-control that uses Ephemeris Tool is already
installed on your system. So far, this has only been used by Ephemeris Tool users who have installed
the CD-ROM version of the Encyplopaedia Britannica. The following procedure should help:
• Rename the VCF132.OCX file in the Windows system folder to "VCF132.OLD".
• Uninstall Ephemeris Tool (not the Encyclopaedia Britannica!).
• Restart Windows.
• Reinstall Ephemeris Tool.
Both Ephemeris Tool and Encyclopaedia Britannica should now be running. If the Encyclopedia
Britannica doesn't start, you can always replace the VCF132.OCX with the original, renamed version.

How can I make sure that Ephemeris Tool always

starts with my home coordinates?
When the program starts, Ephemeris Tool reads its basic settings from a configuration file ephtl4.ocf.
This file is located in the Ephemeris Tool program directory. If you have set the geographic position with
the commands in the Time/Location menu, you should then save the configuration in the "ephtl4.ocf" file
with "Settings|Save configuration as...".

The next time you start the program, the geographic coordinates will also be taken from this file.

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Why is Ephemeris Tool sorting my date columns incorrectly?

If you want to sort a column of date values, the values must be formatted data rather than strings. With
Alt+F8 you can mark the option "Windows short date" for the date. Now the sorting works.

What does the Databases with Precalculated Positions dialog box

do?
You can create two types of files using the File|File Tools|Create Databases command:

a) State vectors from Mercury, Venus, Earth ... to Pluto (sun.vsc, mer.vsc etc.). If you place these
databases in your Ephemeris Tool folder, a new item will appear in the Settings menu: Settings|Read
Positions from File. With this command you switch Ephemeris Tool into a mode in which the planet
locations are interpolated from the databases, which is much faster than using conventional calculations.

b) A pos.vsp file, which greatly speeds up the performance of numerical integrations of planetoid or
comet orbits. If you place this file in your Ephemeris Tools folder, a new menu item "Settings|Use
database for integration" will appear.

The databases can be calculated for the years 1900 to 2100 or 2200. The accuracy of the calculation
results will only be slightly worse than when using the complete VSOP87C theory directly. However, the
performance of numerical integration in particular can improve by a factor of 4.

How can I get the orbital elements of current comets?

If you press the "Orbit elements in the www" button in the "Objects|Comets" dialog, your Internet
browser should start and call up an address of the MPC by default, where you can get orbit elements
of current comets. Save the contents of the window in a text file (ideally with the URL "Soft00Cmt.txt")
and then open this file in the track elements dialog. The file format is that of the MPC: Kometen MPC
(*.txt).

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7 tips and tricks

Calculate helical rises and sets

Suppose you want to calculate the heliaclical rise of Sirius in Cairo in the year -4000. Let us assume that Sirius (Alf
CMa) first becomes visible when it reaches an altitude of 5° above the eastern horizon at the time when the sun is still
5° below the horizon.

Proceed as follows:

1. Go to Settings|Choose Location (Ctrl+O) and enter Cairo under "Search for". Confirm
with OK.
2. Use F8 to open the ephemeris configuration dialog. Press the "Delete all" button, switch to the "Date, time, equinox"
page and mark the option "Output sunrise/sunset and twilight times as Julian dates". Now switch to the "Special
ephemeris" page and select the "Twilight" option under "Sun". Close the dialog with "OK".

3. Use Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F8 to open the options dialog. Here you can change the "Reference heights for sunrise/moonrise
and twilight". For civil twilight, enter -5.0 instead of -6.0 degrees, according to our specifications (see above).
Confirm with OK.
4. Use Ctrl+F8 to open the "Period and increment for ephemeris" dialog. There you enter 1.1.-4000 as the start date
and click on "0h UT". Set the end date to 365 days after the start date, so that the entire year is covered. Close
the dialog with OK.
5. Now we can calculate a solar ephemeris that gives us the times of "civil twilight" with a sun elevation of -5° in Julian
dates. To do this, click on the sun symbol in the toolbar.

6. Now mark all numerical values in the column “Bürg. start.” They should now serve as input variables for another
table. You can do this with F9 or “Time and location|Ephemeris times from table”.
7. Call the Ephemeris Configuration dialog again (F8). Press the "Delete all" button, switch to the "Ephemeris Sizes"
page and mark the size "h" (the object height) in the "Visibility" section. Confirm with OK.

8. Now call an ephemeris for an object from the user catalog (your own or the one supplied with the Ephemeris Tool)
with Ctrl+F4 or "Ephemeris|User Catalog". From there, select "Alf Cma" (which includes Alpha Canis Majors, Sirius,
in the supplied user catalogue) and confirm with OK.
9. Now you see a table with heights of Sirius in the year -4000. Around July 18 or 19, -4000, Sirius reaches an altitude
of -5° with a sun altitude of -5°. So this is the date of the heliaclic rise of Sirius.

Find a Mercury visibility

For Mercury to be visible in the evening sky, it must be high enough above the horizon during twilight. To do this, you
first calculate the times of twilight for a certain period of time and then the height of Mercury.

We now want to determine the first visibility of Mercury in the evening sky in 2001 for Berlin. Proceed as follows
before:

1. Set Berlin with Time/Location|Choose Location (Ctrl+O).

2. Use Time/Location|Ephemeris Period (Ctrl+F8) to select 1/1/2001 to 5/31/2001. Enter as table width
2 days a.
3. With F8 you call up "Configure the display of the ephemeris table". There you select on the tab
Special Ephemeris, under Sun, select Twilight, and under the Date, Time, Equinox tab, select Output Rise/Set
Times as Julian Date. On the tab

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"Ephemeris sizes" under "Visibility" mark the option "h", the height above the horizon that we will need
later for the Mercury phemeris.
4. Now first calculate the solar ephemeris.
5. In the solar ephemeris, now highlight the values in the column with the Julian dates of the end of civil
twilight.
6. Invoke "Time/Location|Ephemeris times from table" (F9). Confirm with OK. Now all fol
following tables for these points in time (sun 6° below the horizon in the evening).
7. Now call up a Mercury ephemeris, preferably on a new spreadsheet, so that the solar ephemeral ride may
still be retained (perhaps you also want to calculate the morning visibilities of Mercury).

8. At the end of January, Mercury is almost 9° above the horizon in Berlin, just as civil twilight has ended. It
is 0 mag bright at this time. So there is a real chance of finding it in the evening sky
ren.

Which planetoids will go into opposition this month?

They want to find out which planetoids will come to opposition in January 2002. This is done using the
Conjunctions and Events|Multiple Object Events command (Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F4).

Follow these steps:

1. Change the table period to the start date 01/01/2002, 0h CET and the automatic end date 31
Days later (time/location|period for table).
2. Now call Conjunctions and Events|Multiple Object Events (Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F4). on. It
The "Search event" dialog appears.
3. We want to use the database of oscillating orbital elements for planetoids that comes with the full version
of Ephemeris Tool. To do this, deselect the “Use Kepler elements for planetoids” option.

4. Now the dialog "Select planetoid" appears. There we determine the database area that interests us: not
all 2000 planetoids, we only want to consider the first 100 for the search. To do this, mark all the planetoids
from 00101 Helena to the bottom of the list below and use the blue up arrow to move them to the top list
box. There they are displayed in red as a sign that they are excluded from further calculations. Confirm
with OK".
5. You are now back in the "Search event" dialog. Under "Select Object and Data Source" you will see that
100 "Planetoids" are selected. Click there on "Planetoids".
6. Under Select Event, click Opposition, then click Search.
7. Now the calculation is done and you will see how the list box on the right with the results of the search for
Fill in oppositions for the first 100 numbered asteroids.

With "Close" you end the dialog and you now get a table with the opposition times in the active spreadsheet.

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The table is sorted by objects. If you want to sort by opposition date, select cells from A2 to E9 and invoke Edit|Sort. There, select
column C, ascending, under “First sort by”. Confirm with OK". Now the data appears in the desired order.

When are the next near-Earth Mars oppositions?

Mars moves around the sun on a comparatively highly eccentric orbit. Those oppositions which Mars passes in the vicinity of the
aphelion of its orbit are therefore particularly favorable for observers on Earth.

We are now interested in the most favorable Mars oppositions between 2000 and 2020. To do this, set the ephemeris period to
this period (Time/Location|Period for table or Ctrl+F8).

Now go to Conjunctions and Events|Find Event (Ctrl+F3). Mark Mars under "Select object" and the option "Earth proximity" under
"Select event". In addition, "Results in table" and "Use ephemeris period" should be selected. Start the search with "Search". The
results are output in the list box on the right. End the dialog with "Close".

Now in the spreadsheet you see the times of perigee for Mars between 2000 and 2020. The opposition times are close to these
times, but are by no means identical to them. Mark the table from A2 to F11 and sort it according to column E. Then you can
quickly see that the Mars opposition in 2003 is particularly favorable and that in 2012 is the least favorable.

When are there close encounters of a bright planetoid

with stars?
Asteroids are especially easy to find when you're close to a relatively bright star. You can use the function Conjunctions and Events|
Conjunctions for Object Lists (Alt+F3) to find such events.

Suppose we want to find the conjunctions of the first 100 numbered planetoids with the 500 brightest stars in the year 2000. The
following steps are necessary for this:
1. Set the period 1/1/2000 to 1/1/2001 with Time/Location|Period for Table (Ctrl+F8).
2. Use Alt+F3 to call up the "Create list with conjunctions" dialog.
3. Under "List of all conjunctions with", click on "Planetoid Database" and select from the data
Bank off the first 100 planetoids.
4. The conjunctions of the planetoids are calculated to the objects from the user-defined catalog.
A catalog of bright nebulae and stars is included with Ephemeris Tool. Of course you can create and use your own catalogues.
Now select the first 500 from the supplied catalog user.csv

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Stars. This is done under "File Areas" with the "Select" button next to "Objects". Enter "From 148" "To 548". Confirm
with OK.
5. We only want to find close conjunctions, up to 20 arc minutes minimum distance. The corresponding
Therefore, enter a value in the "Only conjunctions closer than" input field.
6. Now start the search with "Search" and have a coffee until the Ephemeris Tool has calculated forty thousand possible
conjunctions. During the calculation, the list of search results should slowly fill up. You will also see messages about
events found, errors and the progress of the calculation.
You can cancel the bill at any time.
When the calculation is complete and you close the dialog with "OK", you will see a table with detailed information on
the conjunctions found.

Derive a first comet orbit from several

observations
Let's say you have some position fixes for a newly discovered comet and want to derive a tentative orbit from them.
This is possible with the orbit determination functions of Ephemeris Tool.

First, enter your observations in a table. With Tools|Orbit Determination|Record Observations you create a header under
which you have to enter the observations. Let's assume you have the following values (this roughly corresponds to a
few locations of comet P-2001 Q6 Neat):

Equally 2000
year month day UT 8 31 DA DEC mag GL GB
2001 17,67192 3,375496 11,42253 0 10,34928 3,402191 136 34
2001 9 4 14,21201 0 3,50136 3,423022 17,185 0 0,51336 3,435435 -117 33
2001 9 8 19,49481 0 2,60112 3,454121 24,49577 0 1 41
2001 9 11 1 41
2001 9 16 1 41

You can now manually enter these values into the table and then save them to a file with Tools|Orbit Determination|
Save Observations. The above values are in the P-2001 Q6 (NEAT).obs file included as a sample file with Ephemeris
Tool.

To derive a rough trajectory from the five observations, choose Tools|Orbit Determination|Ban Improvement. You are
first asked to open a file with observations, in our example P-2001 Q6 (NEAT).obs. You will see a dialog in which you
can exclude individual observations from the path calculation, if required. However, we do not want this, but rather
start the path calculation with "OK".

Now a first, rough orbit determination is made. You can see the results in the "Residuals" dialog. Click on "Interference
(slow)" under "Calculation method". For the further orbital improvement, the disturbances of the comet's orbit by the
planets are now taken into account. With "Continue calculation" you create a first, improved path. The orbit's mean
error is now 21.06''. The next step in the calculation only brings an error of 1.67'', the one after that 1.43''. After that,
the trajectory does not change anymore.

Now close the dialog with "Close". The path elements are written to the active worksheet:

Rearrange the columns as follows (and add two columns for the brightness parameters H and G –
we estimate the parameters):

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Now go to Objects|Comets. Due to the conversion, the path elements correspond to the format that the
Ephemeris Tool can read directly from a spreadsheet. Mark cell A2 and in the "Orbit elements for a
comet" dialog click on the "From active cell" button. Now Ephemeris Tool has captured the orbital
elements derived from the observations.

Confirm with OK, switch to a new worksheet and set the ephemeris period for example for September
2001, with a 5-day ephemeris. Call up the table configuration dialog with F8. On the "Groups and
Presets" tab, click on the "Comets" button and then confirm with "OK". Now you can create an
ephemeris with "Ephemeris|Comet":

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8 things worth knowing about program operation

The use of the mouse

By clicking with the secondary (usually the right) mouse button, you call up a context menu in which the most important
commands for formatting tables are listed. The commands for automatically changing the dimensions of rows and
columns are particularly helpful and are therefore at the top.

The toolbar context menu contains the command to hide the toolbar. Double-clicking on an empty area of the toolbar
has the same effect.

Double-clicking on an element in the status bar opens a dialog box for changing the current settings. The right mouse
button calls up a context-sensitive menu.

In addition, some dialog boxes are also equipped with context menus.

keyboard shortcuts

Spreadsheet keyboard shortcuts

ENTER In edit mode, ENTER completes the entry. When a range is highlighted, ENTER
completes the entry and moves the cell highlight down.
SHIFT + ENTER Completes the entry in edit mode. When a range is selected, SHIFT+ENTER completes the entry
and moves the cell selection up.
TAB Completes the input in edit mode and moves the active cell to the right.
SHIFT+TAB Completes the entry in edit mode and moves the active cell to the left.

F2 Enters edit mode. In editing mode, F2 calls the cell text dialog, in which, among other
things, multi-line entries are possible.
F9 Recalculates the formulas in a table.
ESCAPE Undoes input in edit mode.
F4 Switches references marked in edit mode from relative to absolute.

Alt+Shift+F1 Inserts a new spreadsheet.

Move in tables

arrow up Moves the active cell up one row.

arrow down Moves the active cell down one row.
arrow left Moves the active cell left one column.
arrow right Moves the active cell one column to the right.
CTRL+ Arrow up, Move to the next, contiguous cell area or – if none is available – to the respective border
down, right, left of the table.
page up Move up one screen height.

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side down Move down one screen height.

Ctrl + Page Up Move left one screen width.

Ctrl + Page Down Move one screen width to the right.

Alt+Page Up Activates the previous worksheet in a file.

Alt+Page Down Activates the next worksheet in a file.

Pos1 Goes to the first column of the current row.

End Goes to the last column of the current row.
Ctrl+Home Go to cell A1
Ctrl+End Goes to the last column and row that contains data.

Scroll lock Causes scrolling in the window without deleting a selected area.

Shift and movement Expands a selected area.

keys

Ctrl+G Go to...
Ctrl+F Seek
Ctrl+E Substitute
Ctrl+1...Ctrl+9 1..9 decimal places
Alt+1...Alt+6 10..15 decimal places

Keyboard shortcuts for common tasks

Ctrl+F1 Toggle spreadsheet interface on/off

Ctrl+C Copy
Strg+L Layout dialog (only in simple data grid view)
Ctrl+G Go to...
Ctrl+N file new
Ctrl+O Open file...
Ctrl+P Print file...
Ctrl+S save file
Ctrl+V Insert
Ctrl+X cut out
Alt+F6 Switch language between English and German
REMOVE Delete cell contents
F1 call help
F10 watches
F12 file browser
Ctrl+F10 Configure clock bar
Alt+F1 save configuration
Alt+Shift+F1 Open configuration

Keyboard shortcut for ephemeris calculation

Ctrl+D Enter date and place

Strg+J Enter Julian date
Strg+Z Undo table action
F3 The transformation
F5 Daily overview planets
F6 central meridian passage
F7 Tools|Erdsatelliten
F8 Configure tables
F9 Ephemeris time from table

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F10 Shows/hides clock line

F11 Perform numerical integration
Strg+F3 search event
Strg+F4 Journal|Benutzerkatalog
Ctrl+F7 Ephemeris|Satellite
Ctrl+F8 Period for table
Ctrl+F9 positioning on planets
Ctrl+F10 Configures the clock bar
Ctrl+F11 Specify starting values for numerical integration
Ctrl+F12 moon phases
Umsch+F3 conjunctions
Umsch+F4 Ephemeris|Daily Summary|User Catalog
Shift+F7 Ephemeris|All satellites
Shift+F8 column headings
Umsch+F9 Almanac
Shift+F11 Format the output of a numerically integrated ephemeris
Alt+F3 Conjunctions for object lists
Alt+F8 options
Alt+F11 Calculation method for numerical integration
Ctrl+Alt+F3 planets and stars
Ctrl+Alt+F8 Trajectory calculation options
Shift+Ctrl+S Settings|Satellites
Shift+Ctrl+F11 Read state vector from table
Shift+Ctrl+Alt+F3 Events for multiple objects
Shift+Ctrl+Alt+F9 Today
Shift+Ctrl+F1: YOU->DMS
Shift+Ctrl+F2: DMS->DEG
Shift+Ctrl+F3: Time->DAY
Shift+Ctrl+F4: DAY->Time
Shift+Ctrl+F5: Layout->Number
Shift+Ctrl+F6: number->° ' ''
Shift+Ctrl+F7: number->hms
Shift+Ctrl+F8: Enter date and time
Shift+Ctrl+F9: Enter JD/UT
Shift+Ctrl+F10: Enter geographic location
Shift+Ctrl+F12: JD->UT

Proceedings

Specify headers and footers for printing

You specify the content of headers and footers in printed tables in the File|Page Setup... dialog box.
In addition to text, you can also transfer predefined variables and coding for the headers and footers.

These are the encoding options for headers and footers:

code description
&L Left-justify the following characters
&C Centers the following characters
&R Right-justifies the following characters
&A Prints the name of the worksheet
&D Prints the current date
&T Prints the current time
&F Prints the filename

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&P Prints the page number

&P+n Prints the page number plus n
&P-nr Prints the page number minus n
&& Prints "&"
&N Prints the total number of pages in the document

The following font codes must appear before all other codes and text elements. Otherwise they will be
ignored. Alignment codes (e.g. &L, &C, &R) are paragraph by paragraph; new fonts can be specified after
these characters.

code description
&B Fett
&I Kursiv
&U Underline
&S Strikethrough
&"Font" Use the font of this name
&nn Font size - must be entered in two digits.

Create databases with oscillating orbital elements of planetoids

Suppose you want to create a database of asteroids for the period 1/1/1950 to 1/1/2050 (each 0h UT) for
the 10 brightest asteroids. To do this, proceed as follows:

1. Set the desired time period with Time and location|Period for table (Ctrl+F8). For the increment between
the table values, enter the desired interval, for example 100 days.
2. Create a file with the orbit elements for the desired 10 asteroids. You do this with
an external editor. You can e.g. B. edit the supplied file "planet.csv".
3. With the menu command "Integration|Data for orbital element file|Create planetoid database" you first
create *.csv files with the orbital elements for the desired period. They are stored in the directory that you
specified in the "Select target directory" dialog. After the end of the calculation, Ephemeris Tool outputs
a log in the currently used worksheet. In our example, 10 *.csv files with oscillating orbit elements for
1950 - 2050 were created at intervals of 100 days each.
4. Now you can convert this raw data to binary format. To do this, invoke the File|File Tools|Asteroid
Database Tool command. Then there are 10 *.eel files with oscillating path elements in the desired output
directory.
5. You can now use these files for the ephemeris calculation. You configure the use of these files with
Objects|Planetoid Database.

Maintain databases with oscillating orbital elements of planetoids

A set of binary files (*.eel) containing osculating orbital elements for asteroids are supplied with Ephemeris
Tool. For the period of validity of these files, Ephemeris Tool can thus generate highly accurate ephemeris
calculate. With them z. B. conjunctions or events of planetoids can be calculated much more precisely than
would be possible with the Kepler elements. You can also generate these files yourself using Ephemeris
Tool.

By default, Ephemeris Tool stores the orbit elements in the "Asteroids" directory below the program folder.
You can also use any other folder. In this folder you will find a separate *.eel file for each object. Use the
Objects|Planetoid Database command to manage usage of these
files in the program. You can also choose between "Planetoids" and "Planetoid Database" for the planetoids
in all dialogs that can use the planetoid database. The former means the conventional Kepler elements,
the latter the objects contained in the database. In some dialogs, this option is replaced by a "Use Kepler
Elements" check box. If you deselect it, the planetoids from the database will be used.

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In the dialogs there is always a "Planetoid" or "Select planetoid" button. It also leads to the “Objects|Planetoid
Database” command. There you then determine which planetoids from the database are to be used for further
calculations and which are excluded.

Create databases with precomputed ephemeris

With the File|File Tools|Create Databases... command you can create databases that speed up the calculation
of high-precision ephemeris according to the VSOP87C theory and numerical integration. With this command
you invoke the "Databases with Precomputed Positions" dialog box .

The following steps are necessary to create and use the databases:

Step 1: Choose an end date for the database

In the "Database from 1/1/1900 to" selection field, select the desired end date (2100, results in 3 MB files, or
2200, results in 4.5 MB files). With the "Test mode" option you can create small test files to see if and how the
dialog box works.

It can take 15 to 30 or more minutes to create a full file.

Step 2: Choose object

Use the Object/Filename combo box to select the body for which you want to create a file. The finished files are
named xxx.vsc, where xxx abbreviates the body (sun, mer(cury), ven(us), etc.).

In order to generate the pos.vsp file for accelerating numerical integrations, mark the option "Database for
numerical integration".

Step 3: Create file

If all the settings are correct, start the file creation using the "Create file" button.

Step 4: Using the Files in Ephemeris Tool

You must create a total of 9 files for each planet (Sun or Earth, Mercury, Venus ... Pluto) or a pos.vsp file. Copy
these files to your Ephemeris Tool folder. Quit Ephemeris Tool and restart it. The new options will now appear
in the "Settings" menu.

Create tables for irregularly spaced points in time

For some purposes it is necessary to create tables not for regular times (e.g. an ephemeris for midnight every 5
days) but for irregular times (an ephemeris for the times of sunrise for example).

This is possible with the function "Time and location|Ephemeris times from table... (F9)". To do this, proceed as
follows:
1. Calculate an ephemeris with the events you need (e.g. sunrise). Let yourself
output the event not only as a date and time, but also as a Julian date.
2. Highlight these Julian dates.
3. Invoke "Time and location|Ephemeris times from table... (F9)".
4. Now calculate the ephemeris you are looking for for the irregular points in time.
If you want to go back to a regular ephemeris, it is sufficient to change the date in some way (e.g. invoke the
dialog "Enter date and place" and close with OK or invoke Ctrl+F8 and close with OK) .

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You can tell that ephemeris times from the JD list are used by the fact that the menu
Time/Location|Ephemeris times from table is marked. If not checked, the traditional method (regular
tables) is used.

Use user catalogs

With Ephemeris you can calculate ephemeris for stellar objects (apparent position in equatorial or ecliptical
coordinates, visibility data).

To do this, you must first create a catalog of your own stellar objects. Then load it into Ephemeris Tool as
follows:

1. Choose Objects|Custom Catalog...,

2. Load your catalog with the "Load catalog" button.

You can now output ephemeris for the objects (be they stars or deep sky objects) (Ephemeris riden|User
Catalog or Ephemeris|Daily Overview|User Catalog).

In the first case you will be asked to select an object from your catalogue. In the second case, all objects
are calculated for the current date, which can take a long time with large catalogs.

More options

You can also edit the currently used catalog in the "User-defined catalog" dialog. A click on the list view of
the file content shows the respective data record in the editor at the bottom of the dialog. Here you can
edit the entry directly. You can also “comment out” a data record by prefixing it with a ':'.

Commenting in and out also works with a double-click.

You can delete an entry with the "Delete entry" button. You can also create a new entry.

After completing all changes, save the modified file with the "Save catalog" button.

You can also find conjunctions with objects from custom catalogs, e.g. B. to detect near transitions of
asteroids to bright stars or nebulae. You can use Conjunctions|Conjunctions for Object Lists (Alt+F3) to
find all conjunctions between all objects in an asteroid or comet file and all objects in the user catalog. So
can z. For example, find asteroids passing close to bright stars.

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9 literature
Bartsch, Hans-Jochen: Mathematical Formulas. Leipzig 1982.
Burkhard et al.: Ahnert's calendar for star friends. Leipzig; Berlin; Heidelberg.
Elsässer et al.: Stars and Space. Journal of Astronomy. Heidelberg.
hemp; Molt: Stars in the computer. Cologne 1986.
Meeus, Jean: Astronomical Algorithms. Leipzig; Berlin; Heidelberg 1992.
Menzel, Donald H.: Cosmos pocket atlas astronomy. Stuttgart 1967.
Montenbruck; Nurse: Astronomy with the Personal Computer. Berlin; Heidelberg et al. 1994
Montenbruck, Oliver: Basics of ephemeris calculation. Munich 1989 (?).
Seidelmann, P. Kenneth (Editor): Explanatory supplement to the Astronomical Almanac. Nill Valley, CA, 1992.
Voigt, Hans Heinrich: Outline of astronomy. Mannheim; Vienna; Zurich 1980.
Wepner, Wolfgang: Mathematical help book for students and friends of astronomy. Dusseldorf 1985.

The VSOP and ELP2000 theories are available at ftp://ftp.bdl.fr/pub/ephem/.

Public domain data was taken from the CD-ROMs "Astronomie Software Service" and "Jupiter" by Roth EDV. For the
computation of earth satellites (modified) code from Dr. TS Kelso used.

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10 Register
English version 35
A Ephemeris 1, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 32, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 72, 73,
74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 , 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, 106, 162, 170, 172, 173,
Almanac 101, 102, 187 174, 175, 176, 180, 181, 184, 187, 188, 189, 190
AND 129, 133
View 21, 32, 33, 34, 62, 122 Ephemeridenzeitraum 18, 82, 83, 86, 93, 97, 181, 182, 184
Asteroids 15, 17, 54, 62, 64, 65, 80, 86, 163, 172, 177, 183, 188, Events 17, 18, 60, 70, 75, 79, 81, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99,
191 101, 102, 104, 175, 181, 182, 183, 187, 188
ATAN2 124, 128, 129, 133, 134 ERROR.TYPE 140
Rises and sets 59, 180 AND 33, 41, 43, 55, 174
Output format 22, 88 EVEN 128, 130, 140
Alignment 28, 37, 123, 188 EXACT 126, 130, 140, 141
External program 15, 27, 63
B
F
Orbit determination 18, 32, 87, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 169, 170, 183,
184 colors 36
Track elements 15, 16, 17, 23, 44, 54, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 71, 78, 80, 83, 84, Mathematical Finance Functions 126
85, 86, 89, 92, 96, 103, 106, 112 , 114, 115, 117, 162, 163, 164, 165, 167, FIND 127, 130, 141
169, 170, 171, 172, 175, 176, 184, 188, 189 Window 13, 82, 83, 103
Lane Improvement 87, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 170, FLOOR 128, 130, 141
184 Font 188
Edit 11, 18, 20, 29, 32, 35, 121, 122, 123, 182 Format 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 48, 57, 58, 61, 66,
Edit line 33, 122 68, 69, 80, 85, 86, 88, 107, 110, 111, 112, 113, 117, 123, 124, 142, 147,
User Catalog 77, 78, 96, 104, 180, 187, 190, 191 155, 157, 159, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 174,
Width 13, 14, 36, 39, 40, 42, 48, 81, 108, 112, 118, 123, 163, 169, 175, 184
174, 176 Formulas 30, 35, 38, 40, 122, 124, 135, 185, 192
Functions 15, 17, 18, 34, 52, 58, 124, 125, 126, 129, 175
C String manipulation functions 126
FV 126, 130, 136, 137
CEILING 128, 129, 134
CHAR 126, 129, 134, 135 G
CHOOSE 125, 129, 135
CLEAN 126, 129, 135 Go to 30, 35, 186
CODE 126, 129, 135 Geographic coordinates 33, 163
COLUMN 127, 129, 136
COLUMNS 127, 129, 136 H
CONCATENATE 126, 129, 136
Copyright 9, 120 Help 19, 23, 41, 63, 64, 68, 116, 118, 119, 172, 186
COUNT 125, 130, 137 HLOOKUP 125, 130, 141, 142
COUNTA 125, 130, 137, 138 Homepage 109, 119
COUNTIF 125, 130, 138 HOUR 125, 130, 142
csv file 21, 23, 66, 69, 85, 86, 90, 91, 170, 171, 172, 177, 188
I
D
IF 128, 130, 142, 143
DATE 125, 130, 138 INDEX 125, 130, 143
File 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 42, 48, 49, INDIRECT 127, 130, 143
51, 52, 60, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 78, 80, 83, 84, 85, INT 128, 130, 143
86, 88, 90, 91, 98, 104, 105, 106, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 121, 122, Integration 17, 22, 33, 35, 62, 63, 67, 69, 76, 78, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91,
162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 171, 172, 173, 179, 183, 184, 186, 114, 116, 167, 174, 176, 177, 179, 187, 188, 189
187, 188, 189, 190 Interpolation 60, 92, 93, 94, 97
File new 51, 186 IPMT 126, 130, 144
Open File 51, 66, 68, 72, 88, 91, 167, 186 IRR 126, 130, 144, 145
File formats 162, 163
Databases 10, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 49, 62, 63, 64, 70, 74, 76, 77, 78, 86, 94, J
98, 99, 162, 171, 175, 177, 179 , 188, 189
Database functions 125 Seasons 84, 103, 175
Datum 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 33, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 51, 52, 53, Julian Date 33, 42, 55, 65, 67, 88, 90, 108, 114, 166, 168,
55, 68, 78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 89, 93, 97, 102, 104, 106, 107, 108, 176, 180, 181, 186, 190
109, 114, 122, 124, 125, 126, 130, 132, 138, 139, 148, 149, 160, 161, 164, Jupitermonde 78, 79, 175
165, 172, 179, 180, 181, 186, 187, 188, 190
K
Date and time functions 125
DB 125, 126, 130, 139 Comets 12, 15, 17, 44, 54, 67, 68, 69, 75, 76, 78, 84, 85, 86, 87,
Print 20, 29, 32 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 98, 99, 100, 104, 106, 112, 117, 162, 163, 164, 165, 170,
Passes 17, 79, 81 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 183, 184
Configuration 14, 15, 33, 34, 43, 44, 46, 51, 52, 54, 77
AND
Conjunctions 15, 17, 18, 19, 23, 59, 60, 70, 72, 79, 80, 81, 91, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98,
99, 100, 101, 102, 104, 175, 181 , 182, 183, 187, 188, 191
Insert 29, 35, 43, 46, 121, 123, 186
ELP2000 59, 60, 62, 174, 192

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Coordinates 13, 14, 19, 42, 48, 49, 53, 54, 55, 60, 79, 88, 89, 99, 104, 106, REPT 127, 131, 153
109, 116, 118, 163, 166, 168, 173, 174, 175 , 176, 177, 190 RIGHT 127, 131, 153
ROUND 128, 131, 154
Copy 29, 43, 46, 117, 118, 186, 189 ROUNDDOWN 128, 131, 154
ROUNDUP 128, 132, 154
L ROW 127, 132, 154
ROWS 127, 132, 154
Laden 42, 49, 57, 61, 172, 190 Undo 52
LEFT 127, 131, 145
Legend 56, 119, 168, 175 S
ONLY 127, 131, 145
LOG 128, 131, 146 Satellites 17, 70, 71, 83, 106, 107, 167, 187
LOOKUP 125, 131, 146 Quick help 34
Clear 73, 93, 95, 96, 98, 100, 103, 121, 123, 190 Font 37, 123, 188
Protection 38, 40
M SEARCH 127, 132, 154, 155
SECOND 125, 132, 155
Macros 73, 107 Change of sides 35, 36
MATCH 125, 131, 146 Serial number 120
Mathematical functions 128 SLN 126, 132, 155
Maus 11, 12, 18, 36, 56, 69, 105, 121, 122, 123, 185 Sun 11, 16, 17, 54, 59, 60, 74, 75, 78, 79, 88, 89, 91, 95, 97, 99, 101, 102, 105,
MAX 125, 131, 147 106, 108, 109, 162, 168, 176 , 177, 180, 181, 182
MID 127, 131, 147 Solar eclipse 82
MIN 131, 147 Sort 18, 30, 182, 184
MINUTE 125, 131, 147, 148 Columns 18, 39, 56, 112, 122, 123, 127, 129, 133, 136, 142, 143, 146,
MIRR 126, 131, 148 150, 160, 179, 180, 181, 182, 185, 186
World 11, 12, 16, 17, 19, 42, 49, 54, 59, 60, 74, 75, 78, 79, 83, 91, 92, 94, 95, Save 15, 20, 32, 51, 57, 73, 91, 172, 173, 190
97, 99, 101, 102, 105, 106 , 162, 173, 174, 175, 176 Default directory 63
Lunar eclipse 82 Status bar 11, 12, 33, 45, 63, 185
Moon phases 75, 101, 103, 175, 187 STDEV 129, 132, 155, 156
MONTH 125, 131, 148 STDEVP 129, 132, 156
Muster 38, 124, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169 Star occultations 13, 17, 60, 74, 75, 80, 81, 96, 103, 175
Search 14, 18, 30, 57, 71, 95, 97, 99, 101, 104, 105, 119, 181, 182,
N 183, 186
SUMIF 129, 132, 156
N 20, 80, 127, 130, 131, 140, 146, 147, 148, 149, 186, 188 SOUTH 126, 132, 157
Names 11, 13, 20, 30, 35, 49, 52, 71, 121, 163, 164, 165, 166, 187 Toolbar 11, 12, 33, 34, 123, 180, 185
Newcomb 54, 62, 87, 162 System date 43, 124, 125, 131
NPER 126, 131, 149
NPV 126, 131, 149 T
Numerical integration 17, 87, 177, 187
Table 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 35, 36,
O 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 46, 47, 52, 55, 56, 57, 66, 68, 69, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80,
81, 82, 83, 84, 90, 91, 93, 95, 96, 101, 102, 109, 113, 118, 121, 123, 124,
Surface features 109, 168 125, 126, 130, 131, 132, 133, 141, 172, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 186, 187,
ODD 128, 131, 140 190
Open 20, 23, 91, 166, 171 Spreadsheet 11, 12, 20, 32, 34, 61, 63, 121, 124, 125, 185
OFFSET 125, 131, 150 Table configuration 34
Opposition 18, 93, 181 Day fraction 43, 44, 68, 142, 147, 155
Options 17, 18, 28, 29, 37, 46, 52, 55, 58, 60, 70, 71, 75, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, Daily exercise 117
85, 92, 97, 99, 101, 111 , 114, 180, 187, 189 Keyboard shortcut 185, 186
Place 11, 12, 13, 19, 34, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, TEXT 127, 132, 157
55, 61, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 108, 160, 162, TIME 126, 132, 157, 158, 171
163, 164, 172, 173, 180, 181, 182, 183, 186, 187, 188, 190 TIMEVALUE 126, 132, 158
Tips 34, 35, 119, 180
Location determination 108, 187 The transformation 116, 186
TRUNK 129, 132, 158
P
IN
Perihelion distance 67, 117
Planetary Occurrences 17, 75 Clocks 34, 62, 186
Planetary Theories 84, 162, 172 Time 18, 33, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 55, 82, 84, 108, 126, 132, 142, 147, 155, 158,
Planets 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 61, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 75, 76, 78, 81, 84, 85, 86, 87, 91, 187, 188, 190
92, 93, 94, 95, 96 , 98, 99, 100, 103, 104, 106, 112, 116, 117, 164, 170, 171, UT 33, 41, 43, 44, 55, 108, 112, 169, 174, 180, 183, 187, 188
172, 174, 175, 176, 177, 179, 181, 183, 188, 189
IN
Pluto 12, 74, 84, 105, 106, 109, 173, 174, 179, 189
PMT 126, 131, 150 VALUE 127, 132, 134, 135, 140, 141, 142, 155, 159
PPMT 126, 131, 151 VDB 126, 132, 159, 160
Program start 11, 14, 17, 34, 51, 60, 63, 119, 172 Variable stars 72
PROPER 127, 131, 151 Process 13, 23, 28, 60, 87, 88, 90, 159, 160, 177, 187 move 12, 32,
PV 126, 131, 151 35, 121, 123
VLOOKUP 125, 132, 160
R VSOP 17, 35, 54, 62, 84, 87, 176, 192

Frames 38, 114, 124 IN

RATE 126, 131, 152
Calculation methods 11, 17, 87, 111, 114, 175, 176, 177, 187 WEEKDAY 126, 132, 160, 161

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Machine Translated by Google

Angular distances 103, 104 Time 10, 12, 13, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 51, 53, 55, 74, 75, 76, 80,
84, 85, 86, 93, 103 , 107, 108, 109, 119, 124, 126, 132, 157, 163, 174, 175,
AND
177, 180, 181, 182, 183, 187, 188, 190
Period for Table 12, 13, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 80, 85, 86, 103, 181, 182, 183, 187, 188
YEAR 126, 133, 161
Time zone 13, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 75, 163, 164
WITH
Cells 29, 30, 31, 35, 37, 38, 40, 107, 108, 113, 121, 122, 123, 124, 137, 138, 142,
145, 146, 147, 148, 150, 157, 182
Numbers 37, 40, 108, 125, 129, 134, 135, 137, 142, 144, 145, 148, Cell Protection 38, 40
150, 160 168, 176 in Central Merida
Central meridian passage 80, 186
Two-body problem 16, 17, 106, 109, 116, 174

188