Find_Orb - Before Christ MPCORB elements ?

alessandro odasso Oct 15 1:19 PM

I am using the development version of August 18th, 2013

I have downloaded the DE-431 ephemeris file that seems to be properly recognized.

I am trying to play in the past.

1st test
I press the ephemeris button, and I choose a date 99 years B.C.
So I write 99 with a menus sign:

-99-Jan-01

I choose MPCORB elements and that's fine. After very little, I get the result.


2nd test
I press the ephemeris button, and I choose a date 100 years B.C.
So I write 100 with a menus sign:

-100-Jan-01

I choose MPCORB elements and I get a strange result where the output seems truncated, only Mag and 0.15 Slope.
If I switch to 8-line elements, all seems fine again.

Is the limitation with MPCORB format inherent in the format itself? 
What is the limit for "packed dates" associated to the Epoch?

Thanks.

Best wishes,
Alessandro Odasso