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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Create your own ephemerides with Astronomical Algorithms!, August 21, 1998
By A Customer
Once again author Jean Meeus demonstrates his expertise in astronomical positioning and applied mathematics with Astronomical Algorithms. He brings us into the 21st century with the new J2000.0 epoch and FK5 system. His chapters on the primary corrections of precession, nutation, parallax, and aberration are thorough and presented in both the equatorial and ecliptic coordinate systems. Planetary positioning, including the Sun, is provided by the principal elements of Bretagnon and Francou's VSP087 theory. Chapront's ELP-2000/82 theory provides Lunar positioning. The Galilean satellites of Jupiter are located with Lieske's E2x3 theory. The author systematically steps us through each method with real examples. There are practical chapters on Julian Dates, Sidereal Time, Dynamical Time, Rising and Setting, Coordinate Transformations, Equinoxes and Solstices, and Refraction. Mathematically useful chapters include Interpolation, Curve Fitting, Iteration and Sorting. For comet and minor planet watchers, there are chapters on Elliptic, Parabolic and Near Parabolic Motion. Times of conjunctions, elongations, and oppositions can be calculated accurately using the chapter on Planetary Phenomena. There are chapters for the physical ephemerides of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon, including how to find position angle, illuminated fraction, and visual magnitude. In addition, there are Phase, Apogee and Perigee, Node and Libration chapters for the Moon. Solar observers can use the chapter on heliographic coordinates, based on Carrington's rotation number, to plot and track sunspots. For eclipses, Meeus gives us a chapter that, with relatively modest calculations, predicts the time, magnitude and duration for lunar and solar eclipses with remarkable accuracy. There is even a chapter on how to construct a planar sundial. Even Pluto, which is calculated in astrometric place, has a chapter. You will not see the usual vector / matrix notation, the actual equations are provided for us instead. Throughout the book, definitions are given for the astronomical terms, each of which is summarized in the glossary. Beginning with the chapter on Accuracy, he consistently reminds us what constitutes significant digits and why rigorous expressions are often not necessary. For example, there are alternative, low precision algorithms which are quite accurate and provide a good starting point for learning the concepts. This reviewer has coded most of the algorithms in the book and generated very accurate geocentric and topocentric apparent place ephemerides for the Sun, Moon, planets and the Galilean satellites. A knowledge of plane and spherical trigonometry along with basic algebra and calculus is recommended, but the programming inclined should find rewarding challenges in translating these algorithms into computer programs and begin creating their own ephemerides.
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