The Minor Planet Center (MPC) is the official body for observing and reporting on minor planets under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Founded in 1947, it operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
Function
The Minor Planet Center is the official worldwide organization in charge of collecting observational data for minor planets (such as asteroids), calculating their orbits and publishing this information via the Minor Planet Circulars. Under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), it operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, which is part of the Center for Astrophysics along with the Harvard College Observatory. by the Minor Planet Center.
- The Minor Planets and Comets Orbit Supplement (MPO) is published on behalf of IAU's Division F by the Minor Planet Center.
Natural Satellites Ephemeris Service
The Natural Satellites Ephemeris Service is an online service of the Minor Planet Center. The service provides "ephemerides, orbital elements and residual blocks for the outer irregular satellites of the giant planets".[https://minorplanetcenter.net//iau/NatSats/NaturalSatellites.html]
See also
- Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
- IAU Circular
- List of astronomical societies
- List of minor-planet groups
- List of minor planets
- Meanings of minor-planet names
References
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External links
- MPC/MPO/MPS Archive, all published circulars since 1977 (downloadable as PDF)
- The MPC Orbit (MPCORB) Database
- The Minor Planet Center Status Report, Matthew J. Holman, 8 November 2015
- Recent MPECs, list of most-recently published Minor Planet Electronic Circulars