Assertion error in jpleph.cpp

[dekishalay]

Hello!

We've been using this code together with integrat and astcheck (https://www.projectpluto.com/astcheck.htm) to cross-match detected transients to known solar system bodies. As of a few weeks ago, the jpleph.cpp routine started throwing this error:

integrat: jpleph.cpp:328: void interp(interpolation_info*, const double*, const double*, unsigned int, unsigned int, unsigned int, int, double*): Assertion `tc >= -1.' failed.

We're trying to figure out what causes this but don't have a fix yet. Is this a known issue that has a fix?

Thanks for your help,
Kishalay.

[Bill-Gray]

Hi Kishalay,

This sounds quite a bit like a problem that was reported to me back in December. It turned out that I'd made some embarrassing mistakes in the code. I fixed those, the gent reporting the problem pulled the changes, rebuilt, reinstalled, and it all worked again.

I would recommend that you do a 'git pull', 'make', 'make install' for the jpl_eph repository. Then in the lunar repository, run 'git pull', 'make', 'make integrat', and 'make install_integrat'. Do that, and I expect all will work correctly.

The odd make sequence is because Integrat is not built by default. Most people are (I am reasonably sure) only using other bits of the lunar repository; I wanted them to be able to build everything they actually wanted without having to bring in the jpl_eph dependency that Integrat has. It is a strange sequence... but run that, and Integrat should be re-built, this time with the fix to my silly mistakes... let me know if you're still seeing problems.

--Bill

[dekishalay]

Hi Bill,

Thanks, pulling and reinstalling the code did fix the issue!

Regards
Kishalay

[Bill-Gray]

My favorite kind of bug : one that I've already fixed... thanks for confirming it's working.