SLA_AMP - Apparent to Mean   

ACTION:

Convert star $[\,\alpha,\delta\,]$ from geocentric apparent to mean place (post IAU 1976).

CALL:

CALL sla_AMP (RA, DA, DATE, EQ, RM, DM)

GIVEN:

$$[\,\alpha,\delta\,]$$ RA,DA

DATE D TDB for apparent place (JD-2400000.5)

EQ D equinox: Julian epoch of mean place

RETURNED:

$$[\,\alpha,\delta\,]$$ RM,DM

NOTES:

1.

The distinction between the required TDB and TT is always negligible. Moreover, for all but the most critical applications UTC is adequate.

2.

The accuracy is limited by the routine sla_EVP, called by sla_MAPPA, which computes the Earth position and velocity using the methods of Stumpff. The maximum error is about 0.3 milliarcsecond.

3.

Iterative techniques are used for the aberration and light deflection corrections so that the routines sla_AMP (or sla_AMPQK) and sla_MAP (or sla_MAPQK) are accurate inverses; even at the edge of the Sun's disc the discrepancy is only about 1 nanoarcsecond.

4.

Where multiple apparent places are to be converted to mean places, for a fixed date and equinox, it is more efficient to use the sla_MAPPA routine to compute the required parameters once, followed by one call to sla_AMPQK per star.

REFERENCES:

1.

1984 Astronomical Almanac, pp B39-B41.

2.

Lederle & Schwan, 1984. Astr.Astrophys. 134, 1-6.