def METHOD_NAME(start_year, stop_year, season):
    start_date = _mid_season(season, start_year)
    stop_date = _mid_season(season, stop_year)
    # datetime index covering whole input period (data may not be fully covered
    # in the whole period)
    period_index = pd.date_range(start=start_date, end=stop_date, freq=pd.DateOffset(years=1))
    num_dates_period = period_index.values.astype("datetime64[Y]").astype(np.float64)
    return (start_date, stop_date, period_index, num_dates_period)