': Convert a matplotlib floating-point date into an Epoch of the
specified units.
= INPUT VARIABLES
- value    The matplotlib floating-point date.
- unit     The unit system to use for the Epoch.
= RETURN VALUE
- Returns the value converted to an Epoch in the sepcified time system.'

@staticmethod
def float2epoch(value, unit):

    import matplotlib.testing.jpl_units as U
    secPastRef = ((value * 86400.0) * U.UnitDbl(1.0, u'sec'))
    return U.Epoch(unit, secPastRef, EpochConverter.jdRef)
