Hi All:
Pardon the delay. Like most on this thread, I'm also semi-retired (trying anyway) - but the phone keeps ringing.... (taking down trees today - clearing a building lot).
It looks like the issue is deeper than just how to use Occult to get results, it's, for some, --- how to get it running at all.
Ok, some "basics"... I'll mention some "very general" items... My experiences...
I initially installed Occult4 (many years ago) on a Win10 computer. My working version is on a new (very high performance) Win 11 computer. So I have it installed on two computers.
NOTE: Occult4 really demands a computer with some "umph".... I wouldn't suggest running it on anything earlier than Win 10.
Win 10........
The Win 10 computer I think is now close to 10 years old(?). It only has 4Gb of memory. Prior to today I last updated Occult4 on it back in August. (I just updated it to have a "backup" version). Today I updated both the program and all data files and it runs Occult4 without a hitch. (....But compared to the Win11 machine, it runs at 1/5th the speed - slowly).
I looked and I see Occult4 is installed under C:\Program Files (x86) - on this Win10 machine -- ie., C:\Program Files (x86)\Occult.
When I start Occult4 I always get the message: "Do you want to allow this app from an unknown publisher to make changes to your device?" ...And it lists the file Occult.exe. I say yes. [Occult4 isn't a generally recognized program such that it has "security certificates" issued/verified].
NOTE: When first installed/running, from the Main Page, you must first go to Maintenance, and then to "User Settings" and configure the program for it to initially run. This includes your Site Name, Lat, Long, Elevation, Time zone.... Most of what's listed will already be configured for you, so you don't have to mess with much. Most of what you do here will only need to be done once.
Once started, and at the Main Page, when I first tried to update the program (today), it wouldn't install the .zip (update) file... In my virus scanner it logs the message: "Harmful website http://www.lunar-occultations.com/occult4/occultupdate.zip blocked". Then I remembered that on my Win10 computer I must first temporarily shut down my virus scanner (supplied by my Internet carrier - Spectrum). When I do that, the update proceeds fine. After the update is done (takes about a minute), I then turn the virus scanner back on.???? ?
Odd, but an understandable security issue for a program the isn't "generally recognized" - plus the fact that I have it installed in a /Program Files (x86) folder.
So FYI.... After I have the update installed and the virus scanner is back on, I can go to the "Maintenance" tap of the Main Page, then "General Downloads". The files that need to be updated are then indicated (by chevrons >> if I recall).
To answer Roxanne's question........ "Where do I unzip these files to?"...
When it's indicated that a file needs to be updated, I just simply click on the file, a download begins, and it unzips itself and automatically updates the file in the folder the program deems correct. I have never had to direct the update to a specific folder... the program knows where to place the new, updated file. [My virus scanner is on at this time and doesn't interfere with the support file updates].
The crucial asteroid database files that need to be updated (all files are 'crucial' but those concerned with generating the predictions) are:
#23 - Astorb
#22 - Ast DyS-2
#21 - MPCorb
(I UPDATE THEM IN THIS ORDER - I forget why, but there is a reason).
FYI: For GAIA Star files I only have the following loaded:
#40 - Gaia 16
#41 - Gaia 14
(I only use Gaia 16 tho).
I could go into a LOT more on program setup, but my typing fingers will wear out.
As for Occult4 on my Win11 machine........
If I recall correctly, a year ago when I got the new Win 11 machine, I tried to install Occult4 and had issues. As a last resort I decided to just copy the entire "Occult" folder that is under Program Files (x86) on my Win 10 computer, and I wrote that verbatim to my Win11 computer --- BUT --- I see I installed the "Occult" folder directly under the C:\ drive ---- (C:\Occult).
In short, this works fine.... I get no notice of ""Do you want to allow this app..." etc. I also do not have to turn off my virus scanner (same one) to do any program or data file updates. And Occult4 runs without any issues.
On occasion I have gone to do a nightly search and I have gotten an error message (both Win10 & Win11). In most cases the problem has been a formatting issue with the MPCorb file or a fomatting issue with a download from JPL/Horizons. At times I've verified this with an email to Dave Herald.
There has been mention of "the predictions (paths) I see don't match the predictions I see on OW".....
There could be one big reason for this.............
JPL/Horizons doesn't supply a file of the orbital elements of """all""" asteroids --- but the MPC does (MPCorb). Thus, your ""initial"" Search for occultations will be based on MPCorb (and not on elements from Horizons). There are often (almost always) differences in the paths listed between the MPC & JPL. The most accurate paths are (currently) paths based on JPL/Horizons. OW paths/predictions are ['almost always'] based on JPL/Horizons --- BUT --- the initial output from Occult4 IS based on MPC elements.
There is a further step you must do after you get a listing under "List & Display" in Occult4 to then get the "more accurate" predictions/paths via JPL/Horizons.
Finger muscles don't permit me to get into that now.... Suffice it to say, it's pretty easy but let's cover that later.
Let's stop here. Maybe the above will lend some insight into any issues.
Great to hear that Steve has access to a "No 40 minute limit" Zoom account. Write back and let me know if this helps and we can move further soon with a Zoom chat and cover --- whatever you want about Occult4.
'Nuff fer now..........
-G
George Viscome