public char Kbj(int jb, double e) throws palError {

        /* Preset status */
        Status = 0;
        char k;

        /* If prefix given expressly, use it */
        if (jb == 1) {
            k = 'B';
        } else if (jb == 2) {
            k = 'J';

            /* If no prefix, examine the epoch */
        } else if (jb == 0) {

            /* If epoch is pre-1984.0, assume Besselian; otherwise Julian */
            if (e < 1984.0) {
                k = 'B';
            } else {
                k = 'J';
            }

            /* If illegal prefix, return error status */
        } else {
            k = ' ';
            Status = 1;
            throw new palError(Status, "Kbj: Illegal prefix");
        }
        return k;
    }