Jet Propulsion Laboratory Development Ephemeris - Applications

Applications

• JPL uses the ephemerides for navigation of spacecraft throughout the Solar System. Typically, a new ephemeris is computed including the latest available observations of the target planet(s), either for planning of the mission(s), or for final contact of the spacecraft with the target. See below, Recent ephemerides in the series.
• The Astronomical Almanac for 1984 through 2002 were based on JPL ephemeris DE200, and from 2003 onwards the Astronomical Almanac has been based on JPL ephemeris DE405.
• The JPL ephemerides are widely used for planetary science; some examples are included in the Notes and References.
• Software is available to use the JPL ephemerides for the production of apparent ephemerides for any location and time; these are widely used by professional and amateur astronomers for reducing planetary observations and producing very precise observing guides.