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Other Stuff (C)

Table of Contents


   Other Stuff (C)
      Overview
      Note About HTML Links
      References
         Tutorials
         Required Readings
         The Permuted Index
         API Documentation
      Kernels Used
      CSPICE Modules Used

   NAIF Documentation
         Required Reading and Users Guides
         HTML format documentation
         Library Source Code Documentation
         API Documentation
      Text kernels
         Text kernel format

   Lesson 1: Kernel Management with the Kernel Subsystem
      Task Statement
      Learning Goals
      Code Solution
         First, create a meta text kernel:
         Now the solution source code:
         Run the code example

   Lesson 2: The Kernel Pool
      Task Statement
      Learning Goals
      Code Solution
         Run the code example
      Related Routines

   Lesson 3: Coordinate Conversions
      Task Statement
      Learning Goals
      Code Solution
         Run the code example
      Related Routines

   Lesson 4: Advanced Time Manipulation Routines
      Task Statement
      Learning Goals
      Code Solution
         Run the code example

   Lesson 5: Error Handling
      Task Statement
      Learning Goals
      Code Solution
         Run the code example
      Task Statement
      Learning Goals
      Code Solution
         Run the code example
      Relevant Routines:

   Lesson 6: Windows, and Cells
      Programming task
      Learning Goals
      Code Solution
         Run the code example
      Related Routines

   Lesson 7: Utility and Constants Routines
      Task Statement
      Learning Goals
      Code Solution
         Run the code example
      Task Statement
      Code Solution
         Run the code example
      Related Routines




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Other Stuff (C)





March 01, 2023

The extensive scope of the CSPICE system's functionality includes features the average user may not expect or appreciate, features NAIF refers to as "Other Stuff." This workbook includes a set of lessons to introduce the beginning to moderate user to such features.

The lessons provide a brief description to several related sets of routines, associated reference documents, a programming task designed to teach the use of the routines, and an example solution to the programming problem.



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Overview




This workbook contains lessons to demonstrate use of the less celebrated CSPICE routines.

    1. Kernel Management with the Kernel Subsystem

    2. The Kernel Pool

    3. Coordinate Conversions

    4. Advanced Time Manipulation Routines

    5. Error Handling

    6. Windows and Cells

    7. Utility and Constants Routines



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Note About HTML Links




The HTML version of this lesson contains links pointing to various HTML documents provided with the Toolkit. All of these links are relative and, in order to function, require this document to be in a certain location in the Toolkit HTML documentation directory tree.

In order for the links to be resolved, if not done already by installing the lessons package under the Toolkit's ``doc/html'' directory, create a subdirectory called ``lessons'' under the ``doc/html'' directory of the ``cspice/'' tree and copy this document to that subdirectory before loading it into a Web browser.



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References




This section lists SPICE documents referred to in this lesson.

Of these documents, the ``Tutorials'' contains the highest level descriptions with the least number of details while the ``Required Reading'' documents contain much more detailed specifications. The most complete specifications are provided in the ``API Documentation''.



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Tutorials



The following SPICE tutorials serve as references for the discussions in this lesson:

 
   Name              Lesson steps/functions it describes
   ----------------  -----------------------------------------------
   concepts          Concepts of space geometry and time
   intro_to_kernels  Using kernels, meta-kernels
   time              Time systems, conversions and formats
   lsk_and_sclk      LSK and SCLK
   derived_quant     "high-level" observation geometry computations
   other_functions   Intro to some SPICE "low level" computations
   exceptions        built-in mechanism for trapping/handling errors
 
These tutorials are available from the NAIF server at JPL:

   https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/tutorials.html


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Required Readings



The Required Reading documents are provided with the Toolkit and are located under the ``cspice/doc'' directory in the CSPICE Toolkit installation tree.

   Name             Lesson steps/functions that it describes
   ---------------  -----------------------------------------
   cells.req        The SPICE cell data type
   error.req        The SPICE error handling system
   kernel.req       Loading SPICE kernels
   time.req         Time conversion
   windows.req      The SPICE window data type


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The Permuted Index



Another useful document distributed with the Toolkit is the permuted index. It is located under the ``cspice/doc'' directory in the C installation tree.

This text document provides a simple mechanism by which users can discover which CSPICE functions perform functions of interest, as well as the names of the source files that contain these functions.



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API Documentation



The most detailed specification of a given SPICE C routine is contained in the header section of its source code. The source code is distributed with the Toolkit and is located under the ``cspice/src/cspice'' path.

For example the path of the source code of the str2et_c routine is

   cspice/src/cspice/str2et_c.c


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Kernels Used




The following kernels are used in examples provided in this lesson:

   #  FILE NAME    TYPE DESCRIPTION
   -- ------------ ---- ------------------------------------------------
   1  naif0008.tls LSK  Generic LSK
   2  de405s.bsp   SPK  Planet Ephemeris SPK
   3  pck00008.tpc PCK  Generic PCK
These SPICE kernels are included in the lesson package.



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CSPICE Modules Used




This section provides a complete list of the functions and kernels that are suggested for usage in each of the exercises in this lesson. (You may wish to not look at this list unless/until you ``get stuck'' while working on your own.)

   CHAPTER EXERCISE   FUNCTIONS  NON-VOID   KERNELS
   ------- ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
      1    kpool      furnsh_c              1-3
                      ktotal_c
                      kdata_c
                      unload_c
 
      2    kervar     furnsh_c              1-3
                      gnpool_c
                      dtpool_c
                      gdpool_c
                      gcpool_c
 
      3    coord      furnsh_c   dpr_c      1-3
                      prompt_c
                      str2et_c
                      bodvrd_c
                      spkpos_c
                      recrad_c
                      reclat_c
                      recsph_c
                      recgeo_c
 
      4    xtic       furnsh_c   jyear_c    1
                      str2et_c
                      timout_c
                      tpictr_c
                      tsetyr_c
 
      5    errsys     chkin_c    failed_c
                      erract_c
                      prompt_c
                      chkout_c
                      setmsg_c
                      errdp_c
                      errint_c
                      errch_c
                      sigerr_c
 
           aderr      erract_c   eqstr_c    1-3
                      furnsh_c   failed_c
                      prompt_c
                      spkezr_c
                      reset_c
 
      6    win        furnsh_c   card_c     1-3
                      str2et_c   size_c
                      wnvald_c
                      wnintd_c
                      wnfetd_c
                      et2utc_c
                      wnsumd_c
 
      7    units      prompt_c   tkvrsn_c
                      prsdp_c    eqstr_c
                      convrt_c
 
           xconst                spd_c
                                 dpr_c
                                 rpd_c
                                 clight_c
                                 j2100_c
                                 j2000_c
                                 tyear_c
                                 halfpi_c
Refer to the headers of the various functions listed above, as detailed interface specifications are provided with the source code.



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NAIF Documentation





The technical complexity of the various SPICE subsystems mandates an extensive, user-friendly documentation set. The set differs somewhat depending on your choice of development language but provides the same information with regards to SPICE operation. The sources for a user needing information concerning SPICE are:

    -- Required Readings and Users Guides

    -- Library Source Code Documentation

    -- API Documentation

    -- Tutorials



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Required Reading and Users Guides



NAIF Required Reading (*.req) documents introduce the functionality of particular CSPICE subsystems:

   abcorr.req
   cells.req
   ck.req
   cspice.req
   daf.req
   das.req
   dla.req
   dsk.req
   ek.req
   ellipses.req
   error.req
   frames.req
   gf.req
   kernel.req
   naif_ids.req
   pck.req
   planes.req
   problems.req
   rotation.req
   scanning.req
   sclk.req
   sets.req
   spc.req
   spk.req
   symbols.req
   time.req
   windows.req
NAIF Users Guides (*.ug) describe the proper use of particular CSPICE tools:

   brief.ug
   chronos.ug
   ckbrief.ug
   commnt.ug
   convert.ug
   dskbrief.ug
   dskexp.ug
   frmdiff.ug
   inspekt.ug
   mkdsk.ug
   mkspk.ug
   msopck.ug
   simple.ug
   spacit.ug
   spkdiff.ug
   spkmerge.ug
   states.ug
   subpt.ug
   tictoc.ug
   tobin.ug
   toxfr.ug
   version.ug
These text documents exist in the 'doc' directory of the main Toolkit directory:

      ../cspice/doc/


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HTML format documentation



The CSPICE distributions include HTML versions of Required Readings and Users Guides, accessible from the HTML documentation directory:

      ../cspice/doc/html/index.html


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Library Source Code Documentation



All SPICELIB and CSPICE source files include usage and design information incorporated in a comment block known as the "header." (Every toolkit includes either the SPICELIB or CSPICE library.)

A header consists of several marked sections:

    -- Procedure: Routine name and one line expansion of the routine's name.

    -- Abstract: A tersely worded explanation describing the routine.

    -- Copyright: An identification of the copyright holder for the routine.

    -- Required_Reading: A list of CSPICE required reading documents relating to the routine.

    -- Brief_I/O: A table of arguments, identifying each as either input, output, or both, with a very brief description of the variable.

    -- Detailed_Input & Detailed_Output: An elaboration of the Brief_I/O section providing comprehensive information on argument use.

    -- Parameters: Description and declaration of any parameters (constants) specific to the routine.

    -- Exceptions: A list of error conditions the routine detects and signals plus a discussion of any other exceptional conditions the routine may encounter.

    -- Files: A list of other files needed for the routine to operate.

    -- Particulars: A discussion of the routine's function (if needed). This section may also include information relating to "how" and "why" the routine performs an operation and to explain functionality of routines that operate by side effects.

    -- Examples: Descriptions and code snippets concerning usage of the routine.

    -- Restrictions: Restrictions or warnings concerning use.

    -- Literature_References: A list of sources required to understand the algorithms or data used in the routine.

    -- Author_and_Institution: The names and affiliations for authors of the routine.

    -- Version: A list of edits and the authors of those edits made to the routine since initial delivery to the CSPICE system.

The source code for CSPICE products is stored in 'src' sub-directory of the main CSPICE directory:

      ../cspice/src/
Find the CSPICE library source code in:

      ../cspice/src/cspice/
Note: The CSPICE source files have two forms: C files created by the f2c conversion process on a SPICELIB files, indicated with a name of the form "module.c," and wrappers files indicated by names of the form "module_c.c" The f2c converted source code is very difficult to read, refer to the wrapper routines if possible. In some cases, NAIF replaced an f2c converted file with a hand written version.



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API Documentation



The CSPICE package includes the CSPICE Reference Guide, an index of all CSPICE wrapper APIs with hyperlinks to API specific documentation. Each API documentation page includes cross-links to any other wrapper API mentioned in the document and links to the wrapper source code.

      ...cspice/doc/html/cspice/index.html


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Text kernels




Several workbooks use SPICE text kernels. SPICE identifies a text kernel as an ASCII text file containing the mark-up tags the kernel subsystem requires to identify data assignments in that file, and "name=value" data assignments.

The subsystem uses two tags:

      \begintext
and

      \begindata
to mark information blocks within the text kernel. The \begintext tag specifies all text following the tag as comment information to be ignored by the subsystem.

Things to know:

    1. The \begindata tag marks the start of a data definition block. The subsystem processes all text following this marker as SPICE kernel data assignments until finding a \begintext marker.

    2. The kernel subsystem defaults to the \begintext mode until the parser encounters a \begindata tag. Once in \begindata mode the subsystem processes all text as variable assignments until the next \begintext tag.

    3. Enter the tags as the only text on a line, i.e.:

 
      \begintext
 
         ... commentary information on the data assignments ...
 
      \begindata
 
         ... data assignments ...
 
    4. CSPICE delivery N0059 added to the CSPICE and Icy text kernel parsers the functionality to read non native text kernels, i.e. a Unix compiled library can read a MS Windows native text kernel, a MS Windows compiled library can read a Unix native text kernel. Mice acquires this capability from CSPICE.

    5. With regards to the FORTRAN distribution, as of delivery N0057 the furnsh_c call includes a line terminator check, signaling an error on any attempt to read non-native text kernels.



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Text kernel format



Scalar assignments.

      VAR_NAME_DP  = 1.234
      VAR_NAME_INT = 1234
      VAR_NAME_STR = 'FORBIN'
Please note the use of a single quote in string assignments.

Vector assignments. Vectors must contain the same type data.

      VEC_NAME_DP  = ( 1.234   , 45.678  , 901234.5 )
      VEC_NAME_INT = ( 1234    , 456     , 789      )
      VEC_NAME_STR = ( 'FORBIN', 'FALKEN', 'ROBUR'  )
 
      also
 
      VEC_NAME_DP  = ( 1.234,
                      45.678,
                      901234.5 )
 
      VEC_NAME_STR = ( 'FORBIN',
                       'FALKEN',
                       'ROBUR' )
Time assignments.

      TIME_VAL = @31-JAN-2003-12:34:56.798
      TIME_VEC = ( @01-DEC-2004, @15-MAR-2004 )
The at-sign character '@' indicates a time string. The pool subsystem converts the strings to double precision TDB (a numeric value). Please note, the time strings must not contain embedded blanks. WARNING - a TDB string is not the same as a UTC string.

The above examples depict direct assignments via the '=' operator. The kernel pool also permits incremental assignments via the '+=' operator.

Please refer to the kernels required reading, kernel.req, for additional information.



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Lesson 1: Kernel Management with the Kernel Subsystem







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Task Statement




Write a program to load a meta kernel, interrogate the CSPICE system for the names and types of all loaded kernels, then demonstrate the unload functionality and the resulting effects.



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Learning Goals




This lesson demonstrates use of the kernel subsystem to load, unload, and list loaded kernels.

This lesson requires creation of a SPICE meta kernel.



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Code Solution






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First, create a meta text kernel:



You can use two versions of a meta kernel with code examples (kpool.tm) in this lesson. Either a kernel with explicit path information:

   KPL/MK
 
   \begindata
 
      KERNELS_TO_LOAD = ( 'kernels/spk/de405s.bsp',
                          'kernels/pck/pck00008.tpc',
                          'kernels/lsk/naif0008.tls' )
 
   \begintext
... or a more generic meta kernel using the PATH_VALUES/PATH_SYMBOLS functionality to declare path names as variables:

   KPL/MK
 
      Define the paths to the kernel directory. Use the PATH_SYMBOLS
      as aliases to the paths.
 
      The names and contents of the kernels referenced by this
      meta-kernel are as follows:
 
         File Name        Description
         ---------------  ------------------------------
         naif0008.tls     Generic LSK.
         de405s.bsp       Planet Ephemeris SPK.
         pck00008.tpc     Generic PCK.
 
 
   \begindata
 
      PATH_VALUES     = ( 'kernels/lsk',
                          'kernels/spk',
                          'kernels/pck' )
 
      PATH_SYMBOLS    = ( 'LSK', 'SPK', 'PCK' )
 
      KERNELS_TO_LOAD = ( '$LSK/naif0008.tls',
                          '$SPK/de405s.bsp',
                          '$PCK/pck00008.tpc' )
 
   \begintext


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Now the solution source code:



   #include <stdlib.h>
   #include <stdio.h>
   #include <strings.h>
   #include "SpiceUsr.h"
 
   /*
   Define the maximum length for any string, 80
   characters plus one null terminator.
   */
   #define LENOUT 81
 
   int main( int argc, char **argv )
      {
 
      /*  Declare the needed variables: */
 
      SpiceChar     file   [LENOUT];
      SpiceChar     type   [LENOUT];
      SpiceChar     source [LENOUT];
 
      SpiceInt      i;
      SpiceInt      count;
      SpiceInt      handle;
 
      SpiceBoolean  found;
 
 
      /* Assign the path name of the meta kernel to META. */
      SpiceChar   * META = "kpool.tm";
 
 
      /*
      Load the meta kernel then use KTOTAL to interrogate the SPICE
      kernel subsystem for the total number of loaded kernel files.
      */
      furnsh_c ( META );
      ktotal_c ("ALL", &count );
      printf( "Kernel count after load:        %d\n", count );
 
 
      /*
      Loop over the number of files; interrogate the SPICE system
      with kdata_c for the kernel names and the type. 'found' returns a
      boolean indicating whether any kernel files of the specified
      type were loaded by the kernel subsystem. This example ignores
      checking 'found' as kernels are known to be loaded.
      */
      for (i = 0L; i < count; i++ )
        {
         kdata_c( i, "ALL", LENOUT, LENOUT, LENOUT,
                      file, type, source, &handle, &found );
         printf ( "File   %s\n", file );
         printf ( "Type   %s\n", type );
         printf ( "Source %s\n", source );
         printf ( "\n" );
        }
 
 
      /*
      Unload one kernel then check the count.
      */
      unload_c ( "kernels/spk/de405s.bsp" );
      ktotal_c ( "ALL", &count );
 
 
      /*
      The subsystem should report one less kernel.
      */
      printf ( "Kernel count after one unload:  %d\n", count );
 
 
      /*
      Now unload the meta kernel. This action unloads all
      files listed in the meta kernel.
      */
      unload_c ( META );
 
 
      /*
      Check the count. SPICE should return a count of zero.
      */
      ktotal_c ( "ALL", &count );
      printf ( "Kernel count after meta unload: %d\n", count );
 
      exit(0);
      }


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Run the code example



First we see the number of all loaded kernels returned from the ktotal_c call.

Then the kdata_c loop returns the name of each loaded kernel, the type of kernel (SPK, CK, TEXT, etc.) and the source of the kernel - the mechanism that loaded the kernel. The source either identifies a meta kernel, or contains an empty string. An empty source string indicates a direct load of the kernel with a furnsh_c call.

   Kernel count after load:        4
   File   kpool.tm
   Type   META
   Source
 
   File   kernels/lsk/naif0008.tls
   Type   TEXT
   Source kpool.tm
 
   File   kernels/spk/de405s.bsp
   Type   SPK
   Source kpool.tm
 
   File   kernels/pck/pck00008.tpc
   Type   TEXT
   Source kpool.tm
 
   Kernel count after one unload:  3
   Kernel count after meta unload: 0


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Lesson 2: The Kernel Pool







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Task Statement




Write a program to retrieve particular string and numeric text kernel variables, both scalars and arrays. Interrogate the kernel pool for assigned variable names.



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Learning Goals




The lesson demonstrates the CSPICE system's facility to retrieve different types of data (string, numeric, scalar, array) from the kernel pool.

For the code examples, use this generic text kernel (kervar.tm) containing PCK-type data, kernels to load, and example time strings:

   KPL/MK
 
      Name the kernels to load. Use path symbols.
 
      The names and contents of the kernels referenced by this
      meta-kernel are as follows:
 
         File Name        Description
         ---------------  ------------------------------
         naif0008.tls     Generic LSK.
         de405s.bsp       Planet Ephemeris SPK.
         pck00008.tpc     Generic PCK.
 
 
   \begindata
 
      PATH_VALUES     = ('kernels/spk',
                         'kernels/pck',
                         'kernels/lsk')
 
      PATH_SYMBOLS    = ('SPK' , 'PCK' , 'LSK' )
 
      KERNELS_TO_LOAD = ( '$SPK/de405s.bsp',
                          '$PCK/pck00008.tpc',
                          '$LSK/naif0008.tls')
 
   \begintext
 
   Ring model data.
 
   \begindata
 
      BODY699_RING1_NAME     = 'A Ring'
      BODY699_RING1          = (122170.0 136780.0 0.1 0.1 0.5)
 
      BODY699_RING1_1_NAME   = 'Encke Gap'
      BODY699_RING1_1        = (133405.0 133730.0 0.0 0.0 0.0)
 
      BODY699_RING2_NAME     = 'Cassini Division'
      BODY699_RING2          = (117580.0 122170.0 0.0 0.0 0.0)
 
   \begintext
 
   The kernel pool recognizes values preceded by '@' as time
   values. When read, the kernel subsystem converts these
   representations into double precision ephemeris time.
 
   Caution: The kernel subsystem interprets the time strings
   identified by '@' as TDB. The same string passed as input
   to @STR2ET is processed as UTC.
 
   The three expressions stored in the EXAMPLE_TIMES array represent
   the same epoch.
 
   \begindata
 
      EXAMPLE_TIMES       = ( @APRIL-1-2004-12:34:56.789,
                              @4/1/2004-12:34:56.789,
                              @JD2453097.0242684
                             )
 
   \begintext
 
The main references for pool routines are found in the source files or API documentation for the particular routines.



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Code Solution




   #include <stdlib.h>
   #include <stdio.h>
   #include <string.h>
   #include "SpiceUsr.h"
 
   /*
   Define the max number of kernel variables
   of concern for this examples.
   */
   #define N_ITEMS   20
 
   /*
   Define the maximum length for any string, 80
   characters plus one null terminator.
   */
   #define STRLEN 81
 
   int main( int argc, char **argv )
      {
 
      /*
      Note, the pool routines return a boolean to 'found'
      signaling whether the requested variable name exists
      in the kernel pool. The code solutions do not check the
      boolean value since the solutions use variables known to
      exist. In general, code should always check the boolean
      value to ensure return of valid data.
      */
 
      /*
      As usual, type our variables...
      */
      SpiceInt                    i;
      SpiceInt                    j;
      SpiceInt                    dim;
      SpiceInt                    n_var;
      SpiceInt                    n_val;
      SpiceInt                    start;
 
      SpiceBoolean                found;
 
      SpiceDouble                 dvars    [N_ITEMS];
 
      SpiceChar                   cvals    [N_ITEMS][STRLEN];
      SpiceChar                   cvars    [N_ITEMS][STRLEN];
      SpiceChar                   type;
      SpiceChar                   tmplate[12];
 
 
      /*
      Load the example kernel containing the kernel variables.
      The kernels defined in KERNELS_TO_LOAD load into the
      kernel pool with this call.
      */
      furnsh_c ( "kervar.tm" );
 
      /*
      Initialize the start value. This values indicates
      index of the first element to return if a kernel
      variable is an array. start = 0 indicates return everything.
      start = 1 indicates return everything but the first element.
      */
      start = 0;
 
 
      /*
      Set the template for the variable names to find. Let's
      look for all variables containing  the string RING.
      Define this with the wildcard template '*RING*'. Note:
      the template '*RING' would match any variable name
      ending with the RING string.
      */
      strcpy ( tmplate, "*RING*");
 
      /*
      We're ready to interrogate the kernel pool for the
      variables matching the template. gnpool_c tells us:
 
         1. Does the kernel pool contain any variables that
            match the template (value of found).
         2. If so, how many variables? (value of n_val)
         3. The variable names. (cvals, an array of strings)
      */
 
      gnpool_c ( tmplate, start, N_ITEMS, STRLEN,
                 &n_val, cvals, &found );
 
      if ( found )
         {
         printf( "Number variables matching template: %d\n", n_val);
         }
      else
         {
         puts ( "No kernel variables matched template" );
         exit(0);
         }
 
 
      /*
      Okay, now we know something about the kernel pool
      variables of interest to us. Let's find out more...
      */
      for (i=0; i<n_val; ++i )
         {
 
         /*
         Use dtpool_c to return the dimension and type,
         C (character) or N (numeric), of each pool
         variable name in the cvals array.
         */
         dtpool_c ( cvals[i], &found, &dim, &type );
         printf ( "\n%s\n", cvals[i]);
         printf ( " Number items: %d   Of type: %c\n\n", dim, type );
 
         /*
         Use the EQSTR routine to test character equality,
         'N' or 'C'.
         */
         if ( type == 'N' )
            {
 
            /*
            If 'type' equals "N", we found a numeric array.
            In this case any numeric array will be an array
            of double precision numbers ("doubles"). gdpool_c
            retrieves doubles from the kernel pool. 'dvars'
            contains the array of 'n_vars' values.
            */
            gdpool_c ( cvals[i], start, N_ITEMS, &n_var,
                                        dvars  , &found );
 
            for( j=0; j<n_var; ++j )
               {
               printf( "  Numeric value: %20.6f\n", dvars[j] );
               }
 
            }
         else if ( type == 'C' )
            {
 
            /*
            If 'type' equals "C", we found a string array.
            gcpool_c retrieves string values from the
            kernel pool. cvars[i] contains the array of 'n_var'
            values.
            */
            gcpool_c ( cvals[i], start , N_ITEMS,
                       STRLEN  , &n_var, cvars  , &found );
 
            for( j=0; j<n_var; ++j )
               {
               printf( "  String value: %s\n", cvars[j] );
               }
 
            }
 
         }
 
      puts( " " );
 
      /*
      Now look at the kernel variable EXAMPLE_TIMES. Extract this
      value as an array of doubles.
      */
      gdpool_c ( "EXAMPLE_TIMES", start, N_ITEMS, &n_var, dvars,
                 &found );
 
      puts( "EXAMPLE_TIMES");
 
      for( j=0; j<n_var; ++j )
         {
         printf( "  Time value:    %20.6f\n", dvars[j] );
         }
 
      exit(0);
      }


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Run the code example



The program runs and first reports the number of kernel pool variables matching the template, 6.

The program then loops over the dtpool_c 6 times, reporting the name of each pool variable, the number of data items assigned to that variable, and the variable type. Within the dtpool_c loop, a second loop outputs the contents of the data variable using gcpool_c or gdpool_c.

   Number variables matching template: 6
 
   BODY699_RING1_1
    Number items: 5   Of type: N
 
     Numeric value:        133405.000000
     Numeric value:        133730.000000
     Numeric value:             0.000000
     Numeric value:             0.000000
     Numeric value:             0.000000
 
   BODY699_RING1
    Number items: 5   Of type: N
 
     Numeric value:        122170.000000
     Numeric value:        136780.000000
     Numeric value:             0.100000
     Numeric value:             0.100000
     Numeric value:             0.500000
 
   BODY699_RING2
    Number items: 5   Of type: N
 
     Numeric value:        117580.000000
     Numeric value:        122170.000000
     Numeric value:             0.000000
     Numeric value:             0.000000
     Numeric value:             0.000000
 
   BODY699_RING1_1_NAME
    Number items: 1   Of type: C
 
     String value: Encke Gap
 
   BODY699_RING2_NAME
    Number items: 1   Of type: C
 
     String value: Cassini Division
 
   BODY699_RING1_NAME
    Number items: 1   Of type: C
 
     String value: A Ring
 
   EXAMPLE_TIMES
     Time value:        134094896.789000
     Time value:        134094896.789000
     Time value:        134094896.789753
Note the final time value differs from the previous values in the final three decimal places despite the intention that all three strings represent the same time. This results from round-off when converting a decimal Julian day representation to the seconds past J2000 ET representation.



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Related Routines




    -- gipool_c retrieves integer values from the kernel subsystem.



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Lesson 3: Coordinate Conversions







Top

Task Statement




Write a program to convert a Cartesian 3-vector representing some location to the other coordinate representations. Use the position of the Moon with respect to Earth in an inertial and non-inertial reference frame as the example vector.



Top

Learning Goals




The CSPICE system provides functions to convert coordinate tuples between Cartesian and various non Cartesian coordinate systems including conversion between geodetic and rectangular coordinates.

This lesson presents these coordinate transform routines for rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical systems.



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Code Solution




   #include <stdlib.h>
   #include <stdio.h>
   #include <strings.h>
   #include "SpiceUsr.h"
 
   /* Define the length of the time string, 32
   characters plus 1 for the null terminator.
   */
   #define LENOUT 33
 
   int main( int argc, char **argv )
      {
 
      /*
      Type the variables.
      */
      SpiceInt              dim;
 
      /*
      Define the inertial and non inertial frame names.
      */
      SpiceChar             inrfrm  [] = "J2000";
      SpiceChar             nonfrm  [] = "IAU_EARTH";
      SpiceChar             timstr  [LENOUT];
 
      SpiceDouble           et;
      SpiceDouble           range;
      SpiceDouble           ra;
      SpiceDouble           dec;
      SpiceDouble           lat;
      SpiceDouble           colat;
      SpiceDouble           lon;
      SpiceDouble           ltime;
      SpiceDouble           flat;
      SpiceDouble           rad   [3];
      SpiceDouble           pos   [3];
 
      /*
      Load the needed kernels using a furnsh_c call on the
      meta kernel.
      */
      furnsh_c ( "coord.tm" );
 
 
      /*
      Prompt the user for a time string. Convert the
      time string to ephemeris time J2000 (ET).
      */
      prompt_c ( "Time of interest: ", LENOUT, timstr );
      str2et_c ( timstr, &et );
 
      /*
      Access the kernel pool data for the triaxial radii of the
      Earth, 'rad[0]' holds the equatorial radius, 'rad[2]'
      the polar radius.
      */
      bodvrd_c ( "Earth", "RADII", 3, &dim, rad);
 
      /*
      Calculate the flattening factor for the Earth.
 
               equatorial_radius - polar_radius
      flat =   ________________________________
 
                     equatorial_radius
      */
 
      flat = (rad[0] - rad[2])/rad[0];
 
      /*
      Make the spkpos_c call to determine the apparent position of
      the Moon w.r.t. to the Earth at 'et' in the inertial frame.
      */
      spkpos_c ( "MOON", et, inrfrm, "LT+S","EARTH", pos, &ltime);
 
 
      /*
      Show the current frame and time.
      */
      printf ( " Time : %s\n"         , timstr );
      printf ( "  Inertial Frame: %s\n", inrfrm );
 
      /*
      First convert the position vector
      X = pos[0], Y = pos[1], Z = pos[2], to RA/DEC.
      */
      recrad_c ( pos, &range, &ra, &dec );
      printf ( "   Range/Ra/Dec\n" );
      printf ( "    Range: %20.6f\n", range        );
      printf ( "    RA   : %20.6f\n", ra * dpr_c() );
      printf ( "    DEC  : %20.6f\n", dec* dpr_c() );
 
      /*
      ...latitudinal coordinates...
      */
      reclat_c ( pos, &range, &lon, &lat );
      printf ( "   Latitudinal\n" );
      printf ( "    Rad  : %20.6f\n", range);
      printf ( "    Lon  : %20.6f\n", lon * dpr_c() );
      printf ( "    Lat  : %20.6f\n", lat * dpr_c() );
 
      /*
      ...spherical coordinates use the colatitude,
      the angle from the Z axis.
      */
      recsph_c ( pos, &range, &colat, &lon );
      printf ( "   Spherical\n");
      printf ( "    Rad  : %20.6f\n", range           );
      printf ( "    Lon  : %20.6f\n", lon   * dpr_c() );
      printf ( "    Colat: %20.6f\n", colat * dpr_c() );
 
 
      /*
      Make the spkpos_c call to determine the apparent position of
      the Moon w.r.t. to the Earth at 'et' in the non-inertial,
      body fixed, frame.
      */
      spkpos_c ( "MOON", et, nonfrm, "LT+S","EARTH", pos, &ltime);
 
      puts ( " " );
      printf ( "  Non-inertial Frame: %s\n", nonfrm );
 
      /*
      ...latitudinal coordinates...
      */
      reclat_c ( pos, &range, &lon, &lat );
      printf ( "   Latitudinal\n" );
      printf ( "    Rad  : %20.6f\n", range         );
      printf ( "    Lon  : %20.6f\n", lon * dpr_c() );
      printf ( "    Lat  : %20.6f\n", lat * dpr_c() );
 
      /*
      ...spherical coordinates...
      */
      recsph_c ( pos, &range, &colat, &lon );
      printf ( "   Spherical\n" );
      printf ( "    Rad  : %20.6f\n", range           );
      printf ( "    Lon  : %20.6f\n", lon   * dpr_c() );
      printf ( "    Colat: %20.6f\n", colat * dpr_c() );
 
      /*
      ...finally, convert the position to geodetic coordinates.
      */
      recgeo_c ( pos, rad[0], flat, &lon, &lat, &range );
      printf ( "   Geodetic\n" );
      printf ( "    Rad  : %20.6f\n", range         );
      printf ( "    Lon  : %20.6f\n", lon * dpr_c() );
      printf ( "    Lat  : %20.6f\n", lat * dpr_c() );
      puts ( " " );
 
      exit(0);
      }


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Run the code example



Input "Feb 3 2002 TDB" to calculate the Moon's position. (the 'TDB' tag indicates a Barycentric Dynamical Time value).

   Time of interest: Feb 3 2002 TDB
Examine the Moon position in the J2000 inertial frame, display the time and frame:

    Time : Feb 3 2002 TDB
     Inertial Frame: J2000
Convert the Moon Cartesian coordinates to right ascension declination.

      Range/Ra/Dec
       Range:        369340.815193
       RA   :           203.643686
       DEC  :            -4.979010
Latitudinal. Note the difference in the expressions for longitude and right ascension though they represent a measure of the same quantity. The RA/DEC system measures RA in the interval [0,2Pi). Latitudinal coordinates measures longitude in the interval (-Pi,Pi].

      Latitudinal
       Rad  :        369340.815193
       Lon  :          -156.356314
       Lat  :            -4.979010
Spherical. Note the difference between the expression of latitude in the Latitudinal system and the corresponding Spherical colatitude. The spherical coordinate system uses the colatitude, the angle measure away from the positive Z axis. Latitude is the angle between the position vector and the x-y (equatorial) plane with positive angle defined as toward the positive Z direction

      Spherical
       Rad  :        369340.815193
       Lon  :          -156.356314
       Colat:            94.979010
The same position look-up in a body fixed (non-inertial) frame, IAU_EARTH.

 
     Non-inertial Frame: IAU_EARTH
Latitudinal coordinates return the geocentric latitude.

      Latitudinal
       Rad  :        369340.815193
       Lon  :            70.986950
       Lat  :            -4.989675
Spherical.

      Spherical
       Rad  :        369340.815193
       Lon  :            70.986950
       Colat:            94.989675
Geodetic. The cartographic lat/lon.

      Geodetic
       Rad  :        362962.836755
       Lon  :            70.986950
       Lat  :            -4.990249
 


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Related Routines




    -- latrec_c, latitudinal to rectangular

    -- latcyl_c, latitudinal to cylindrical

    -- reccyl_c, rectangular to cylindrical

    -- cyllat_c, cylindrical to latitudinal

    -- cylrec_c, cylindrical to rectangular



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Lesson 4: Advanced Time Manipulation Routines







Top

Task Statement




Demonstrate the advanced functions of the time utilities with regard to formatting of time strings for output. Formatting options include altering calendar representations of the time strings. Convert time-date strings between different CSPICE-supported formats.



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Learning Goals




Introduce the routines used for advanced manipulation of time strings. Understand the concept of ephemeris time (ET) as used in CSPICE.



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Code Solution




Caution: Be sure to assign sufficient string lengths for time formats/pictures.

   #include <stdlib.h>
   #include <stdio.h>
   #include <strings.h>
   #include "SpiceUsr.h"
 
   /*
   Define the maximum length for any string, 80
   characters plus one null terminator.
   */
   #define STRLEN 256
 
   int main( int argc, char **argv )
      {
 
      /* Declare the needed variables: */
 
      SpiceDouble            et;
      SpiceDouble            et1;
      SpiceDouble            et2;
 
      SpiceBoolean           ok;
 
      SpiceChar              error [STRLEN];
      SpiceChar              pictr [STRLEN];
      SpiceChar              timstr[STRLEN];
 
      /*
      Assign the META variable to the name of the meta-kernel
      that contains the LSK kernel and create an arbitrary
      time string.
      */
      SpiceChar            * CALSTR   =
                             "Mar 15, 2003 12:34:56.789 AM PST";
 
      SpiceChar            * META     =
                             "xtic.tm";
 
      SpiceChar            * AMBIGSTR =
                             "Mar 15, 79 12:34:56";
 
 
      /* Load the meta-kernel. */
 
      furnsh_c ( META );
      printf   ( "Original time string     : %s\n", CALSTR );
 
      /*
      Convert the time string to the number of ephemeris
      seconds past the J2000 epoch. This is the most common
      internal time representation used by the CSPICE
      system; CSPICE refers to this as ephemeris time (ET).
      */
      str2et_c ( CALSTR, &et );
      printf   ( "Corresponding ET         : %20.6f\n", et );
 
 
      /*
      Make a picture of an output format. Describe a Unix-like
      time string then send the picture and the 'et' value through
      timout_c to format and convert the ET representation of the
      time string into the form described in timout_c. The
      '::UTC-7' token indicates the time zone for the 'timstr'
      output - PDT. 'PDT' is part of the output, but not a time
      system token.
      */
      timout_c ( et,
                 "Wkd Mon DD HR:MN:SC PDT YYYY ::UTC-7",
                 STRLEN,
                 timstr );
      printf   ( "Time in string format 1  : %s\n", timstr );
 
 
      /*
      Create another picture, this time combine a calendar,
      2 digit year , with Julian Day format.
      */
      timout_c ( et,
                 "Wkd Mon DD HR:MN ::UTC-7 YR (JULIAND.##### JDUTC)",
                 STRLEN,
                 timstr );
      printf   ( "Time in string format 2  : %s\n", timstr );
 
 
      /*
      Why create a picture by hand when CSPICE can do it for you?
      Input a string to tpictr_c with the format of interest.
      'ok' returns a boolean indicating whether an error
      occurred while parsing the picture string, if so,
      an error diagnostic message returns in 'error'. In this
      example, no need exists to check the error flag since
      the picture string is known as correct..
      */
      tpictr_c ( "12:34:56.789 P.M. PDT January 1, 2006",
                 STRLEN,
                 STRLEN,
                 pictr,
                 &ok,
                 error);
 
      /*
      Confirm the tpictr_c call succeeded. Report the error string
      if not.
      */
      if( !ok )
         {
         printf( "\nError in TPICTR call:\n" );
         printf( "%s\n", error );
         exit(1);
         }
 
      timout_c ( et, pictr, STRLEN, timstr );
      printf   ("Time in string format 3  : %s\n", timstr );
 
 
      /*
      Two digit year representations often cause problems due to
      the ambiguity of the century. The routine tsetyr_c gives the
      user the ability to set a default range for 2 digit year
      representation. SPICE uses 1969AD as the default start
      year so the numbers inclusive of 69 to 99 represent years
      1969AD to 1999AD, the numbers inclusive of 00 to 68 represent
      years 2000AD to 2068AD.
 
      The defined time string AMBIGSTR contains a two-digit
      year. Since the SPICE base year is 1969, the time
      subsystem interprets the string as 1979.
      */
      str2et_c ( AMBIGSTR, &et1 );
 
 
      /*
      Set 1980 as the base year causes CSPICE to interpret the time
      string's "79" as 2079.
      */
      tsetyr_c ( 1980 );
      str2et_c ( AMBIGSTR, &et2 );
 
 
      /*
      Calculate the number of years between the two ET
      representations, ~100.
      */
      printf ( "Years between evaluations: %20.6f\n",
                            (et2 - et1)/jyear_c()    );
 
      exit(0);
      }


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Run the code example



   Original time string     : Mar 15, 2003 12:34:56.789 AM PST
   Corresponding ET         :     100989360.974561
   Time in string format 1  : Sat Mar 15 01:34:56 PDT 2003
   Time in string format 2  : Sat Mar 15 01:34  03 (2452713.85760 JDUTC)
   Time in string format 3  : 01:34:56.789 A.M. PDT March 15, 2003
   Years between evaluations:           100.000000


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Lesson 5: Error Handling







Top

Task Statement




Show the behavior of the various error modes by writing a program to signal an error, check for an error signal, set the long and short error strings, set error behavior (DEFAULT, RETURN, ABORT, RETURN).



Top

Learning Goals




This lesson introduces the basics of the error subsystem and its various the response modes: DEFAULT, RETURN, ABORT, RETURN, IGNORE, the error output modes: SHORT, LONG, EXPLAIN TRACEBACK, DEFAULT, ALL, NONE, and the error traceback message.



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Code Solution




   #include <stdlib.h>
   #include <stdio.h>
   #include <strings.h>
   #include "SpiceUsr.h"
 
   /*
   Define the maximum length for any string, 80
   characters plus one null terminator.
   */
   #define STRLEN 81
 
   void doerr();
 
   int main( int argc, char **argv )
      {
 
      /*  Declare the needed variables: */
 
      SpiceChar      errcon[STRLEN];
      SpiceBoolean   doloop        = SPICETRUE;
 
      /*
      Check into the error subsystem to create a traceback
      showing the call tree. A chkout_c must balance every
      chkin_c.
      */
      chkin_c ( "ERRSYSC" );
 
      /*
      Before we start, what's the initial (default)
      error state? erract_c both sets the state and
      reports the state.
      */
      erract_c ( "GET", STRLEN, errcon );
      printf   ( "Default error state: %s\n", errcon );
 
 
      /*
      Now start an input loop so we can try different
      settings for error response.
      */
      do
         {
 
         /* Again use ERRACT to retrieve the current error mode. */
         erract_c ( "GET", STRLEN, errcon );
         printf   ( "Current error state: %s\n", errcon );
 
 
         /*
         Okay, input one of the response settings strings
         then set the error subsystem response to that value.
         */
         prompt_c ( "Set error condition (DEFAULT, REPORT, "
                    "ABORT, RETURN, IGNORE): ",
                     STRLEN,
                     errcon );
         erract_c ( "SET", STRLEN, errcon );
 
         /* Cause an error signal. */
         doerr();
 
 
         /*
         Check for an error signal via a call to FAILED.
         At this point we see an important difference
         between the error mode's response to an error
         signal.
         */
         if ( !failed_c() )
            {
            puts( "No error signal noted." );
            }
         else
            {
            puts( "Error signal noted." );
            }
 
         }
      while ( doloop );
 
 
      /*
      Check out of the error subsystem tho' we'll
      never hit this call.
      */
      chkout_c ( "ERRSYSC" );
      exit(0);
      }
 
 
   /* This subroutine initiates a SPICE error signal. */
 
   void doerr ()
      {
 
      /* Check into the error subsystem as before. */
 
      chkin_c ("DOERR");
 
      /*
      Let's signal an error. The string passed by setmsg_c
      is the long error message. You may place markers in the
      long message string then later substitute other data
      items for those markers.
      */
      setmsg_c ( "A truly horrendous event occurred "
                 "during execution of this program. "
                 "Data added to long error message string: "
                 "A double #, an int #, and a string #." );
 
      /*
      Now substitute other data into the long message string.
      Note the substitutions work on the first found marker.
      */
      errdp_c  ( "#", 186282.397 );
      errint_c ( "#", 666        );
      errch_c  ( "#", "A STRING" );
 
 
      /*
      SIGERR causes the error signal with the string passed
      from SETMSG. Set the error flag in the SPICE error
      subsystem and execute the proper error response.
      */
      sigerr_c ( "OOPS(SOMETHINGBAD)" );
 
      chkout_c ( "DOERR" );
 
      }


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Run the code example



o- Demo the "DEFAULT" mode:

   Default error state: DEFAULT
   Current error state: DEFAULT
The subsystem is in error state DEFAULT. Let the subsystem run to the error signal in DEFAULT mode:

   Set error condition (DEFAULT, REPORT, ABORT, RETURN, IGNORE): DEFAULT
What subsystem reaction occurs in this state?

 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
 
   Toolkit version: N0067
 
   OOPS(SOMETHINGBAD) --
 
   A truly horrendous event occurred during execution of this program. D
   ata added
   to long error message string: A double 1.8628239700000E+05, an int 66
   6, and a
   string A STRING.
 
   A traceback follows.  The name of the highest level module is first.
   ERRSYSC --> DOERR
 
   Oh, by the way:  The SPICELIB error handling actions are USER-TAILORA
   BLE.  You
   can choose whether the Toolkit aborts or continues when errors occur,
    which
   error messages to output, and where to send the output.  Please read
   the ERROR
   "Required Reading" file, or see the routines ERRACT, ERRDEV, and ERRP
   RT.
 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
Notice we see no error signal status line. The program quit when it signaled an error. The program output the error messages, an additional information blurb ("Oh by the way"), the Toolkit version, and the traceback list.

o- Rerun the program in "REPORT" mode:

   Default error state: DEFAULT
   Current error state: DEFAULT
   Set error condition (DEFAULT, REPORT, ABORT, RETURN, IGNORE): REPORT
 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
 
   Toolkit version: N0067
 
   OOPS(SOMETHINGBAD) --
 
   A truly horrendous event occurred during execution of this program. D
   ata added
   to long error message string: A double 1.8628239700000E+05, an int 66
   6, and a
   string A STRING.
 
   A traceback follows.  The name of the highest level module is first.
   ERRSYSC --> DOERR
 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
   Error signal noted.
   Current error state: REPORT
   Set error condition (DEFAULT, REPORT, ABORT, RETURN, IGNORE):
The error output ceases after the traceback then returns into the calling routine. Note the error signal marker indicates detection of the signal. The subsystem in REPORT mode does not print the information blurb. The CSPICE system can continue to run after an error signal with the error state set to REPORT - this mode flags an error then allows the program to continue the run. It may happen that the cause of the error condition causes instability in the CSPICE system.

o- Rerun to test "ABORT" mode:

   Default error state: DEFAULT
   Current error state: DEFAULT
   Set error condition (DEFAULT, REPORT, ABORT, RETURN, IGNORE): ABORT
How does the subsystem respond in ABORT mode?

 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
 
   Toolkit version: N0067
 
   OOPS(SOMETHINGBAD) --
 
   A truly horrendous event occurred during execution of this program. D
   ata added
   to long error message string: A double 1.8628239700000E+05, an int 66
   6, and a
   string A STRING.
 
   A traceback follows.  The name of the highest level module is first.
   ERRSYSC --> DOERR
 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
ABORT responds quite like DEFAULT except the error output does not include the information blurb shown in the DEFAULT output. All execution stops when the error signals.

o- Run the program to demo the "RETURN" mode:

   Default error state: DEFAULT
   Current error state: DEFAULT
   Set error condition (DEFAULT, REPORT, ABORT, RETURN, IGNORE): RETURN
RETURN mode provides the highest measure of flexibility to deal with error signals. On output:

 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
 
   Toolkit version: N0067
 
   OOPS(SOMETHINGBAD) --
 
   A truly horrendous event occurred during execution of this program. D
   ata added
   to long error message string: A double 1.8628239700000E+05, an int 66
   6, and a
   string A STRING.
 
   A traceback follows.  The name of the highest level module is first.
   ERRSYSC --> DOERR
 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
   Error signal noted.
   Current error state: RETURN
The subroutine signals an error then returns similar to REPORT mode. However, this mode includes another property. If we make another pass through the command loop:

   Set error condition (DEFAULT, REPORT, ABORT, RETURN, IGNORE): return
   Error signal noted.
   Current error state: return
We see no error output. The main property of the RETURN mode is to allow program execution to continue but immediately return from all CSPICE routines that check the state of the return_c function. This mode restricts program flow after an error signal.

o- And the final mode to test, "IGNORE":

   Default error state: DEFAULT
   Current error state: DEFAULT
   Set error condition (DEFAULT, REPORT, ABORT, RETURN, IGNORE): IGNORE
   No error signal noted.
   Current error state: IGNORE
   Set error condition (DEFAULT, REPORT, ABORT, RETURN, IGNORE):
No error output, no error signal. IGNORE mode prevents expression of all error subsystem functions; the subsystem does not set RETURN or FAILED. While using IGNORE mode the user cannot identify an error signal. Carefully consider program requirements before any use of IGNORE mode.



Top

Task Statement




Write an interactive program to return a state vector based on a user's input. Code the program with the capability to recover from user input mistakes, inform the user of the mistake, then continue to run.



Top

Learning Goals




Learn how to write a program that has the capability to recover from expected SPICE errors.



Top

Code Solution




   #include <stdlib.h>
   #include <stdio.h>
   #include <strings.h>
   #include "SpiceUsr.h"
 
   /*
   Define the maximum length for any string, 80
   characters plus one null terminator.
   */
   #define STRLEN 81
 
 
   int main( int argc, char **argv )
      {
 
 
      /*  Declare the needed variables: */
 
      SpiceChar              targ [STRLEN];
 
      /*
      Set a flag to start/stop and continue the
      inquiry loop.
      */
      SpiceBoolean           doloop = SPICETRUE;
 
      SpiceDouble            state[6];
      SpiceDouble            ltime;
 
 
      /*
      The RETURN mode signals an error then returns to the
      caller. Just what we need. REPORT mode performs almost
      the same function as RETURN, however RETURN mode
      sets the return_c() value to TRUE and so the program does
      not execute those CSPICE routines that check the return_c()
      value. Consider REPORT mode useful for debugging.
      */
      erract_c ( "SET", STRLEN, "RETURN" );
 
      /*
      Load the data we need for state evaluation.
      */
      furnsh_c ( "aderr.tm" );
 
 
      /*
      Start our input query loop to the user.
      */
 
      while ( doloop )
         {
 
         /*
         For simplicity, we request only one input.
         The program calculates the state vector from
         Earth to the user specified target (TARG) in the
         J2000 frame, at ephemeris time zero, using
         aberration correction LT+S (light time plus
         stellar aberration).
         */
         prompt_c ( "Target: ", STRLEN, targ );
 
         if (  eqstr_c( targ, "NONE" ) )
            {
 
            /*
            An exit condition. If the user inputs NONE
            for a target name, set the loop to stop...
            */
            doloop = SPICEFALSE;
 
            }
         else
            {
 
            /*
            ...otherwise evaluate the state between the Earth
            and the target.
            */
            spkezr_c ( targ, 0., "J2000", "LT+S", "EARTH", state,
                       &ltime );
 
            /*
            What if the program can't perform the evaluation?
            Since we set the error subsystem to REPORT we know
            a failed spkezr_c call sets the failed_c flag to
            SPICETRUE then returns control to the calling routine.
            The CSPICE system also outputs an error message
            informing the user of the problem's cause.
 
            Examine the state of failed_c() to determine if we
            output a state vector or not.
            */
 
            if ( ! failed_c() )
               {
               printf ( "R : %20.6f %20.6f %20.6f\n",
                        state[0] , state[1], state[2] );
               printf ( "V : %20.6f %20.6f %20.6f\n",
                        state[3] , state[4], state[5] );
               printf ( "LT: %20.6f\n", ltime );
               }
            else
               {
 
               /*
               Problem. Something went wrong. Reset the error
               subsystem for another pass.
               */
               reset_c();
 
               }
 
            }
 
         }
 
      exit(0);
      }


Top

Run the code example



Now run the code with various inputs to observe behavior. Begin the run using known astronomical bodies, e.g. "Moon", "Mars", "Pluto barycenter" and "Puck". Recall the CSPICE default units are kilometers, kilometers per second, kilograms, and seconds. The 'R' marker identifies the (X,Y,Z) position of the body in kilometers, the 'V' marker identifies the velocity of the body in kilometers per second, and the 'LT' marker identifies the one-way light time between the bodies at the requested evaluation time.

   Target: Moon
   R :       -291584.616595       -266693.402359        -76095.647558
   V :             0.643439            -0.666066            -0.301310
   LT:             1.342311
   Target: Mars
   R :     234536077.419136    -132584383.595569     -63102685.706191
   V :            30.961373            28.932996            13.113031
   LT:           923.001080
   Target: Pluto barycenter
   R :   -1451304742.838526   -4318174144.406321    -918251433.587357
   V :            35.079843             3.053138            -0.036762
   LT:         15501.258293
   Target: Puck
 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
 
   Toolkit version: N0067
 
   SPICE(SPKINSUFFDATA) --
 
   Insufficient ephemeris data has been loaded to compute the state of 7
   15 (PUCK)
   relative to 0 (SOLAR SYSTEM BARYCENTER) at the ephemeris epoch 2000 J
   AN 01
   12:00:00.000.
 
   A traceback follows.  The name of the highest level module is first.
   spkezr_c --> SPKEZR --> SPKEZ --> SPKACS --> SPKAPS --> SPKLTC --> SP
   KGEO
 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
   Target:
Perplexing. What happened?

The kernel files named in meta.tm did not include ephemeris data for Puck. When the SPK subsystem tried to evaluate Puck's position, the evaluation failed due to lack of data, so an error signaled.

The above error signifies an absence of state information at ephemeris time 2000 JAN 01 12:00:00.000 (the requested time, ephemeris time zero). Since the program set the error mode to RETURN, program execution continues.

Try another look-up, this time for "Casper"

   Target: Casper
 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
 
   Toolkit version: N0067
 
   SPICE(IDCODENOTFOUND) --
 
   The target, 'Casper', is not a recognized name for an ephemeris objec
   t. The
   cause of this problem may be that you need an updated version of the
   SPICE
   Toolkit. Alternatively you may call SPKEZ directly if you know the SP
   ICE ID
   codes for both 'Casper' and 'EARTH'
 
   A traceback follows.  The name of the highest level module is first.
   spkezr_c --> SPKEZR
 
   =====================================================================
   ===========
   Target:
An easy to understand error. The SPICE system does not contain information on a body named 'Casper.'

Another look-up, this time, "Venus".

   Target: Venus
   R :     -80970027.540532    -139655772.573898     -53860125.958201
   V :            31.166910           -27.001056           -12.316514
   LT:           567.655074
   Target:
The look-up succeeded despite two errors in our run. The CSPICE system can respond to error conditions (not system errors) in much the same fashion as languages with catch/throw instructions.



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Relevant Routines:




    -- errdev_c sets the device for error output.

    -- errprt_c sets the error message items for output on an error signal.

    -- return_c returns TRUE if a routine should return to caller on entry.



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Lesson 6: Windows, and Cells







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Programming task




Given the times of line-of-sight for a vehicle from a ground station and the times for an acceptable Sun-station-vehicle phase angle, write a program to determine the time intervals common to both configurations.



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Learning Goals




This lesson introduces the concepts of the SPICE data types 'cell' and 'window'. A 'cell' is a data structure designed to provide easy and safe manipulation of typed array data.

A C SPICE cell consists of a C structure.

A user should create cells by use of the appropriate CSPICE calls. NAIF recommends against manual creation of cells.

A 'window' is a type of cell containing ordered, double precision values describing a collection of zero or more intervals.

We define an interval, 'i', as all double precision values bounded by and including an ordered pair of numbers,

      [ a , b ]
         i   i
where

      a    <   b
       i   -    i
The intervals within a window are both ordered and disjoint. That is, the beginning of each interval is greater than the end of the previous interval:

      b  <  a
       i     i+1
A common use of the windows facility is to calculate the intersection set of a number of time intervals.



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Code Solution




   #include <stdio.h>
   #include "SpiceUsr.h"
   #include <stdlib.h>
   #include <string.h>
 
   #define MAXSIZ       8
 
   /*
   Define the maximum length for a UTC string, 25
   characters plus one null terminator.
   */
   #define UTCLEN       26
 
   int main( int argc, char **argv )
      {
 
      /*
      Define our variable types.
 
      Define the cells to use as windows.
      The windows can hold 8 data values i.e.
      four intervals.
      */
 
      SPICEDOUBLE_CELL ( loswin, MAXSIZ );
      SPICEDOUBLE_CELL ( phswin, MAXSIZ );
      SPICEDOUBLE_CELL ( sched , MAXSIZ );
 
      SpiceInt         i;
      SpiceInt         small;
      SpiceInt         large;
 
      SpiceChar        utcstr[2][UTCLEN];
 
      /*
      Define sets of time intervals. For the purposes of this
      tutorial program, define time intervals representing
      an unobscured line of sight between a ground station
      and some  body.
      */
      SpiceChar   los   [MAXSIZ][UTCLEN] =
                    { "Jan 1, 2003 22:15:02", "Jan 2, 2003  4:43:29",
                      "Jan 4, 2003  9:55:30", "Jan 4, 2003 11:26:52",
                      "Jan 5, 2003 11:09:17", "Jan 5, 2003 13:00:41",
                      "Jan 6, 2003 00:08:13", "Jan 6, 2003  2:18:01"
                    };
 
      /*
      A second set of intervals representing the times for which
      an acceptable phase angle exits between the ground station,
      the body and the Sun.
      */
      SpiceChar   phase [MAXSIZ][UTCLEN] =
                    { "Jan 2, 2003 00:03:30", "Jan 2, 2003 19:00:00",
                      "Jan 3, 2003  8:00:00", "Jan 3, 2003  9:50:00",
                      "Jan 5, 2003 12:00:00", "Jan 5, 2003 12:45:00",
                      "Jan 6, 2003 00:30:00", "Jan 6, 2003 23:00:00"
                    };
 
      SpiceDouble      left;
      SpiceDouble      right;
      SpiceDouble      meas;
      SpiceDouble      avg;
      SpiceDouble      stddev;
      SpiceDouble      los_et [MAXSIZ];
      SpiceDouble      phs_et [MAXSIZ];
 
 
      /* Load our meta kernel for the leapseconds data. */
      furnsh_c ( "win.tm" );
 
 
      /*
      Windows consist of double precision values, convert the
      time tags defined in the LOS and PHASE arrays to
      double precision ET. Store the double values in the
      loswin and phswin arrays.
      */
      for ( i=0; i < MAXSIZ; ++i )
         {
         str2et_c ( los[i]  , &los_et[i] );
         str2et_c ( phase[i], &phs_et[i] );
         }
 
      /*
      Initialize the cells from the double precision arrays,
      then validate the cells as windows.
 
      Since we use 4 intervals, set the window to accept 8 (MAXSIZ)
      data values ( 4 * 2 = 8 ). Since we require no more than
      8 data values, assign a window size of 8.
      */
 
      memmove ( (SpiceDouble*)loswin.data,
                los_et,
                MAXSIZ * sizeof(SpiceDouble) );
 
      memmove ( (SpiceDouble*)phswin.data,
                phs_et,
                MAXSIZ * sizeof(SpiceDouble) );
 
      wnvald_c ( MAXSIZ, MAXSIZ, &loswin );
      wnvald_c ( MAXSIZ, MAXSIZ, &phswin );
      wnvald_c ( MAXSIZ, MAXSIZ, &sched  );
 
 
      /*
      The issue for consideration, at what times do line of
      sight events coincide with acceptable phase angles?
      Perform the set operation AND on loswin, phswin,
      place the results in the window 'sched'.
      */
 
      wnintd_c ( &loswin, &phswin, &sched );
 
      puts  ( " " );
      printf( "No. data values in sched           : %2d\n",
                                               (int)card_c(&sched) );
      printf( "Space available for values in sched: %2d\n",
                                               (int)size_c(&sched) );
 
      /*
      Output the results. The number of intervals in 'sched'
      is half the number of data points (the cardinality).
      Use a call to card_c to retrieve the window's cardinality.
      */
      puts ( " " );
      puts ( "Time intervals meeting defined criterion.");
 
      for ( i=0; i < card_c(&sched)/2 ; ++i )
         {
 
         /*
         Extract from the derived 'sched' the values defining the
         time intervals, [small, large].
         */
         wnfetd_c ( &sched, i, &left, &right );
 
         /*
         Convert the ET values to UTC for human comprehension.
         */
         et2utc_c ( left , "C", 3, UTCLEN, utcstr[0] );
         et2utc_c ( right, "C", 3, UTCLEN, utcstr[1] );
 
         /*
         Output the UTC string and the corresponding index
         for the interval.
         */
         printf( "%2d  %s   %s\n", (int)i, utcstr[0], utcstr[1] );
 
         }
 
      puts ( " " );
      puts ( "Summary of sched window" );
 
      wnsumd_c ( &sched, &meas, &avg, &stddev, &small, &large );
 
      /*
      Summarize the 'sched' window.
      */
      printf( "o Total measure of sched    : %16.6f\n", meas   );
      printf( "o Average measure of sched  : %16.6f\n", avg    );
      printf( "o Standard deviation of\n "                     );
      printf( "  the measures in sched     : %16.6f\n", stddev );
 
 
      /*
      The values for small and large refer to the indexes of the
      values in the window ('sched'). The shortest interval is
 
            [ SPICE_CELL_ELEM_D( &sched, small),
              SPICE_CELL_ELEM_D( &sched, small+1) ];
 
      the longest is
 
            [ SPICE_CELL_ELEM_D( &sched, large),
              SPICE_CELL_ELEM_D( &sched, large+1) ];
 
      Output the indexes for the shortest and longest
      intervals. As C bases an array index on 0, the interval
      index is half the array index.
      */
      printf( "o Index of shortest interval: %2d\n", (int)small/2 );
      printf( "o Index of longest interval : %2d\n", (int)large/2 );
 
      exit (0);
      }


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Run the code example



The output window has the name `sched' (schedule).

Output the amount of data held in `sched' compared to the maximum possible amount.

   No. data values in sched           :  6
   Space available for values in sched:  8
List the time intervals for which a line of sight exists during the time of a proper phase angle.

 
   Time intervals meeting defined criterion.
    0  2003 JAN 02 00:03:30.000   2003 JAN 02 04:43:29.000
    1  2003 JAN 05 12:00:00.000   2003 JAN 05 12:45:00.000
    2  2003 JAN 06 00:30:00.000   2003 JAN 06 02:18:01.000
Finally, an analysis of the `sched' data. The measure of an interval [a,b] (a <= b) equals b-a. Real values output in units of seconds.

 
   Summary of sched window
   o Total measure of sched    :     25980.000009
   o Average measure of sched  :      8660.000003
   o Standard deviation of
     the measures in sched     :      5958.550217
   o Index of shortest interval:  1
   o Index of longest interval :  0


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Related Routines




    -- wncomd_c determines the compliment of a window with respect to a defined interval.

    -- wncond_c contracts a window's intervals.

    -- wndifd_c : Calculate the difference between two windows; i.e. every point existing in the first but not the second.

    -- wnelmd_c returns TRUE or FALSE if a value exists in a window.

    -- wnexpd_c expands the size of the intervals in a window.

    -- wnextd_c extracts a window's endpoints .

    -- wnfild_c fills gaps between intervals in a window.

    -- wnfltd_c filter/removes small intervals from a window.

    -- wnincd_c determines if an interval exists within a window.

    -- wninsd_c inserts an interval into a window.

    -- wnreld_c compares two windows. Comparison operations available, equality '=', inequality '<>', subset '<=' and '>=', proper subset '<' and '>'.

    -- wnunid_c calculates the union of two windows.



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Lesson 7: Utility and Constants Routines







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Task Statement




Write an interactive program to convert values between various units. Demonstrate the flexibility of the unit conversion routine, the string equality function, and show the version ID function.



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Learning Goals




CSPICE provides several routines to perform commonly needed tasks. Among these:

    -- convert values between unit expressions

    -- determine the equality of strings

    -- indicate whether a file exists

    -- identify the toolkit version

CSPICE also includes a set of functions that return constant values often used in astrodynamics, time calculations, and geometry.



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Code Solution




   #include <stdio.h>
   #include <stdlib.h>
   #include <string.h>
   #include "SpiceUsr.h"
 
   #define UTCLEN       32
 
   void tostan ( SpiceChar * alias );
 
   int main( int argc, char **argv )
      {
 
      /*
      Define the few variables needed for data input
      and output.
      */
 
      SpiceChar           funits [UTCLEN];
      SpiceChar           tunits [UTCLEN];
      SpiceChar           fromstr[UTCLEN];
      SpiceDouble         fvalue;
      SpiceDouble         tvalue;
 
      /*
      Define the tkvrsn_c return value.
      */
      ConstSpiceChar     * vers;
 
      /*
      Display the Toolkit version string with a
      tkvrsn_c call.
      */
      vers = tkvrsn_c( "TOOLKIT" );
      printf( "\nConvert demo program compiled against "
                 "CSPICE Toolkit %s\n\n", vers );
 
      /*
      The user first inputs the name of a unit of measure.
      Send the name through TOSTAN for de-aliasing.
      */
      prompt_c ( "From Units : ", UTCLEN, funits );
      tostan   ( funits );
 
      /*
      Input a double precision value to express in a new
      unit format.
      */
      prompt_c ( "From Value : ", UTCLEN, fromstr );
      prsdp_c ( fromstr, &fvalue );
 
      /*
      Now the user inputs the name of the output units.
      Again we send the units name through TOSTAN for
      de-aliasing.
      */
      prompt_c ( "To Units   : ", UTCLEN, tunits );
      tostan ( tunits );
 
      convrt_c ( fvalue, funits, tunits, &tvalue );
      printf ( "%12f.6 %s\n", tvalue, tunits );
 
      exit(0);
      }
 
 
   void tostan ( SpiceChar * alias )
      {
 
      /*
      As a convenience, let's alias a few common terms
      to their appropriate counterpart. Use eqstr_c
      to compare strings. The comparison ignores
      letter case and trailing/leading spaces.
      */
 
      if ( eqstr_c ( alias, "meter" ) )
         {
 
         /*
         First, a 'meter' by any other name is a
         'METER' and smells as sweet ...
         */
         strcpy ( alias, "METERS");
 
         }
      else if ( eqstr_c ( alias, "klicks"     ) ||
                eqstr_c ( alias, "kilometers" ) ||
                eqstr_c ( alias, "kilometer"  )   )
         {
 
         /*
         ... 'klicks' and 'KILOMETERS' and
         'KILOMETER' identifies 'KM'....
         */
         strcpy ( alias, "KM");
 
         }
      else if ( eqstr_c ( alias, "secs") )
         {
 
         /*
         ... 'secs' to 'SECONDS'.
         */
         strcpy ( alias, "SECONDS");
 
         }
      else if ( eqstr_c ( alias, "miles") )
         {
 
         /*
         ... and finally 'miles' to 'STATUTE_MILES'.
         Normal people think in statute miles.
         Only sailors think in nautical miles - one
         minute of arc at the equator.
         */
         strcpy ( alias, "STATUTE_MILES");
 
         }
 
      /*
      Much better. Now return. If the input matched
      none of the aliases, this routine did nothing.
      */
 
      }


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Run the code example



Run a few conversions through the application to ensure it works. The intro banner gives us the Toolkit version against which the application was linked:

 
   Convert demo program compiled against CSPICE Toolkit CSPICE_N0067
 
   From Units : klicks
   From Value : 3
   To Units   : miles
       1.864114.6 STATUTE_MILES
Now we know. Three kilometers equals 1.864 miles.

Legend states Pheidippides ran from the Marathon Plain to Athens. The modern marathon race (inspired by this event) spans 26.2 miles. How far in kilometers?

 
   Convert demo program compiled against CSPICE Toolkit CSPICE_N0067
 
   From Units : miles
   From Value : 26.2
   To Units   : km
      42.164813.6 km


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Task Statement




Write a program to output CSPICE constants and use those constants to calculate some rudimentary values.



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Code Solution




   #include <stdlib.h>
   #include <stdio.h>
   #include <strings.h>
   #include "SpiceUsr.h"
 
   int main( int argc, char **argv )
      {
 
      /*
      All the functions have the same calling sequence:
 
         VALUE = function_name();
         some_procedure( function_name() );
         printf ( "%19.12f\n", function_name() );
 
      First a simple example using the seconds per day
      constant...
      */
      printf("Number of (S)econds (P)er (D)ay         : %19.12f\n",
                                                       spd_c() );
 
      /*
      ...then show the value of degrees per radian, 180/Pi...
      */
      printf("Number of (D)egrees (P)er (R)adian      : %19.16f\n",
                                                       dpr_c() );
 
      /*
      ...and the inverse, radians per degree, Pi/180.
      It is obvious dpr_c() equals 1.0/rpd_c(), or more simply
      dpr_c() * rpd_c() equals 1.0.
      */
      printf("Number of (R)adians (P)er (D)egree      : %19.16f\n",
                                                       rpd_c() );
 
      /*
      What's the value for the astrophysicist's favorite
      physical constant (in a vacuum)?
      */
      printf("Speed of light in KM per second         : %19.12f\n",
                                                     clight_c() );
 
      /*
      How long (in Julian days) from the J2000 epoch to the
      J2100 epoch?
      */
      printf("Number of days between epochs J2000  \n"        );
      printf("  and J2100                             : %19.12f\n",
                                         j2100_c() - j2000_c()  );
 
      /*
      Redo the calculation returning seconds...
      */
      printf("Number of seconds between epochs\n"             );
      printf("  J2000 and J2100                       : %19.5f\n",
                             spd_c() * (j2100_c() - j2000_c() ) );
 
      /*
      ...then tropical years.
      */
      printf("Number of tropical years between\n"             );
      printf("  epochs J2000 and J2100                : %19.12f\n",
            ( spd_c() / tyear_c() ) * (j2100_c() - j2000_c() ) );
 
      /*
      Finally, how can I convert a radian value to degrees.
      */
      printf("Number of degrees in Pi/2 radians of arc: %19.16f\n",
                                           halfpi_c() * dpr_c() );
 
      /*
      and degrees to radians.
      */
      printf("Number of radians in 250 degrees of arc : %19.16f\n",
                                                    250. * rpd_c() );
 
      exit(0);
      }


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Run the code example



   Number of (S)econds (P)er (D)ay         :  86400.000000000000
   Number of (D)egrees (P)er (R)adian      : 57.2957795130823229
   Number of (R)adians (P)er (D)egree      :  0.0174532925199433
   Speed of light in KM per second         : 299792.457999999984
   Number of days between epochs J2000
     and J2100                             :  36525.000000000000
   Number of seconds between epochs
     J2000 and J2100                       :    3155760000.00000
   Number of tropical years between
     epochs J2000 and J2100                :    100.002135902909
   Number of degrees in Pi/2 radians of arc: 90.0000000000000000
   Number of radians in 250 degrees of arc :  4.3633231299858242


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Related Routines




    -- exists_c returns a boolean indicating the existence of a file.

    -- b1900_c : Julian Date of the epoch Besselian Date 1900.0

    -- b1950_c : Julian date of the epoch Besselian Date 1950.0

    -- j1900_c : Julian date of 1900 JAN 0.5 this corresponds to calendar date 1899 DEC 31 12:00:00

    -- j1950_c : Julian date of 1950 JAN 1.0 this corresponds to calendar date 1950 JAN 01 00:00:00

    -- twopi_c : double precision value of 2 * Pi

    -- pi_c : double precision value of Pi

    -- jyear_c : seconds per Julian year (365.25 Julian days)