New version of GRAZPREP (4.20)

New version of GRAZPREP (4.20)

Dear all,
I just uploaded a fully revised version of GRAZPREP (now 4.20) to be downloaded from (www.grazprep.com) . The major change is the implementation of all Gaia DR2 stars yielding Gaia proper motions, parallax and radial velocity. These are now 98% of all zodical stars of the former XZ80Q catalogue! Even some of the brightest stars have Gaia positions now: the brighest being delta Sagittarii with a visual magnitude of 2.7. For some brighter stars we still have to rely on the Hipparcos-positions. Note that the measuring array of Gaia has problems with bright stars. This might affect stars brighter than 7 mag. where the center of light is harder to define. The irradiation factor inreases with brightness. But still there are improvements to former catalogues.
On www.grazprep.com you will also find revised 2018 grazing occultation prediction files for the rest of the year that need to be downloaded as well (at least the one matching your area). The limitimg magnitude is 9.3 (13.0 for the lunar eclipses). A prediction file of grazes during the upcoming lunar eclipse of Jan. 21, 2019, is also available.
Before installing the new version UNINSTALL any former version you have! You will find an Unins000.EXE in the GRAZPREP-folder. Former prediction files and your setting data will NOT and must not be deleted.
The password for the installation is 'IOTA/ES' as before. During installation be sure NOT to use the Windows-program folder offered as a default, but select your self created GRAZPREP-folder and install GRAZPREP there.
Please report any difficulty you might have to me for a quick support from my side whereever possible.
Clear skies to all and hopefully many successful occultations!

Kind regards,
Eberhard Riedel