Naval Observatory Vector Astrometry Subroutines - Structure

Structure

The NOVAS library provides three levels of subroutines (functions): basic, utility, and supervisory. Basic-level subroutines supply the values of fundamental variables, such as the nutation angles and the heliocentric positions of solar system bodies for specific epoches. Utility-level subroutines perform transformations, such as those caused by precession, nutation and aberration. Supervisory-level subroutines serve as interfaces to the basic and utility subroutines to compute the coordinates of stars or solar system bodies for specific dates and times.

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