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If you program in Windows, the latest release of my SofaJpl fundamental
astronomy DLL may be of interest. Unlike the previous version, it is
compatible with Windows 8.

To help you get started, I include a demonstration program. Source code
in C++, C#, and Visual Basic is on my site. The program is a console
application which makes typical calls to the SofaJpl DLL. To keep it
simple, the program does not interact with the user. To change the time,
for example, you have to modify the source code.

Despite the rudimentary user interface, the program's calculations are
accurate. I'm confident it will compare well with USNO MICA, JPL
HORIZONS and The Astronomical Almanac.

A lunar distance computation is included in the demonstration. In
addition to the separation angle, position angles and phase angle are
displayed. With those data you can visualize the geometry (sextant
orientation, direction of illumination, and Moon phase) for any lunar,
past or future.

Not every refinement is applied. For example, SofaJpl is able to
calculate the refracted semidiameter of a body, but I omit that
correction for the sake of simplicity.

http://home.earthlink.net/~s543t-24dst/SofaJpl_2_0

   

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