Ephemeris Data Files
This chapter describes the installation of Swiss Ephemeris data files.
Installation steps are
- Download the data files (see below)
- Open the configuration dialog, select the Ephemeris tab
- Click the button for ephemeris data files selection, choose the directory of the files
Astronomical Background
Standard calculation of the program is according to the built-in Moshier ephemeris. The ephemeris is quite good, but it is possible to increase the precision with the Swiss Ephemeris data files.
Precision of Moshier ephemeris is about 1 second of arc. The ephemeris covers the time interval from 3000 BC to 3000 AD.
Data files can be downloaded from Astrodienst Zürich. The data files have time intervals of 600 years each. Maximum time of validity is from 5401 BC to 5399 AD.
The URL of the download directory is ftp://ftp.astro.com/pub/swisseph/ephe/.
Types of Data Files
There are several different types of data files.
- Planetary data files - used for all planets Sun, .. Pluto (without Moon).
- Moon files - special files for the Moon
- Main asteroid files - used for planetoids Ceres, .. Vesta, Chiron and Pholus
All files are valid for 600 years. The table below summarizes the available files.
| Time Range | Planetary File | Moon File | Asteroid File |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5401 BC - 4802 BC | seplm54.se1 | semom54.se1 | seasm54.se1 |
| 4801 BC - 4202 BC | seplm48.se1 | semom48.se1 | seasm48.se1 |
| 4201 BC - 3602 BC | seplm42.se1 | semom42.se1 | seasm42.se1 |
| 3601 BC - 3002 BC | seplm36.se1 | semom36.se1 | seasm36.se1 |
| 3001 BC - 2402 BC | seplm30.se1 | semom30.se1 | seasm30.se1 |
| 2401 BC - 1802 BC | seplm24.se1 | semom24.se1 | seasm24.se1 |
| 1801 BC - 1202 BC | seplm18.se1 | semom18.se1 | seasm18.se1 |
| 1201 BC - 602 BC | seplm12.se1 | semom12.se1 | seasm12.se1 |
| 601 BC - 2 BC | seplm06.se1 | semom06.se1 | seasm06.se1 |
| 1 BC - 599 AD | sepl_00.se1 | semo_00.se1 | seas_00.se1 |
| 600 AD - 1199 AD | sepl_06.se1 | semo_06.se1 | seas_06.se1 |
| 1200 AD - 1799 AD | sepl_12.se1 | semo_12.se1 | seas_12.se1 |
| 1800 AD - 2399 AD | sepl_18.se1 | semo_18.se1 | seas_18.se1 |
| 2400 AD - 2999 AD | sepl_24.se1 | semo_24.se1 | seas_24.se1 |
| 3000 AD - 3599 AD | sepl_30.se1 | semo_30.se1 | seas_30.se1 |
| 3600 AD - 4199 AD | sepl_36.se1 | semo_36.se1 | seas_36.se1 |
| 4200 AD - 4799 AD | sepl_42.se1 | semo_42.se1 | seas_42.se1 |
| 4800 AD - 5399 AD | sepl_48.se1 | semo_48.se1 | seas_48.se1 |