III.2. Object(s)

There are six possible ways of object description:

a) by number(s)

b) by name

c) by oppositions

d) by list

e) by orbital elements

f) by initial coordinates and velocities.

a)  Computations are fulfilled for all objects in assigned interval of numbers from N1 to N2. The numbers can be given within limits from -12 to maximum number of minor planets in the table of elements. The numbers from -12 to 0 correspond to following objects (points):

Numbers from 1 to maximum number correspond to permanent numbers of minor planets.

N1 must be less or equal to N2 (to define one object enter N2 equal to N1)

b)  Computations are done for object with introduced name. Upper and lower case letters are not discerned. In case of unnamed minor planet its preliminary designation can be used as a name.

c)  Computations are fulfilled for all minor planets with oppositions lying within the time interval from T1 to T2. T1 and T2 must be specified within basic time interval (within boundaries from November of the year preceding to the title one to February of subsequent one). T1 must be less than T2. They should be introduced as year, month, day with tenth (e.g. 20021104.1).

d)  Computations are performed for all objects listed in the file whose path and name should be introduced into assigned data field. The list must contain object numbers or names or preliminary designations, singly in each line.

On pressing Browse button one can find the wanted file in memory and open it.

On pressing Edit button user has a chance to look through the list of objects, to add or eliminate some of them, to replace them by other ones.

Attention is drawn to the fact that the work directory created in installation (AmpleWork by default) contains the file 'unusual' with the list of all unusual minor planets whose ephemerides are published in EMP in special table.

There is an opportunity to perform the ephemeris calculations for objects which are absent in the data base of the package. Such objects can be described by orbital elements or by initial coordinates and velocities. In each case there are two possibilities:

— calculations should be performed for single object;

— calculations should be performed for a list of objects.

In case of a single object user should introduce corresponding data into positions shown at the screen. There is possibility to use different systems of elements, such as M,n or M,a or T,q. Some of data, such as designation of the object, H, G can be omitted. If H, G are not introduced the visual magnitude of the object is not computed.

In case of numerous objects user should introduced the name of the file with elements or coordinates and velocities of objects. On pressing Browse button one can find the wanted file in memory and open it. On pressing Edit file button user has a possibility to look through the list of object elements or their coordinates and velocities to add or to change it.

The set of orbital parameters and their order of following can differ from that considered as standard. For example, the designations of objects in the list can occupy the last position in each line. AMPLE gives opportunity to use such list not changing it. After selection of List of orbits to the right side of the screen a field under the head line Order is appeared.

It contains the list of the orbital parameters in their succession as they were represented during the last run. If user wants to change the set of parameters of their following, he or she should press Modify button and then Clear button. Then at the left part of the screen one can mark those orbital parameters which are present in the list using that succession in which they are given in every line. For example, if the Epoch of the elements occupies the first position in every lines, the checkbox Epoch should be marked the first, and so on. In so doing, at the right of the screen under the head line Order the new orbital parameters in their new succession will be seen.