Minor Planet Center (MPC)

The Minor Planet Center (MPC) operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory , under the auspices of  Division F of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

The MPC is responsible for the designation of minor bodies in the solar system: minor planets; comets; and natural satellites. The MPC is also responsible for the efficient collection, (computation), checking and dissemination of astrometric observations and orbits for minor planets, comets and outer natural satellites, via the Minor Planet Circulars (issued generally on a monthly basis), the Minor Planet Circulars Orbit Supplement (MPO) (issued three to twelve times per year), the Minor Planet Circulars Supplement (MPS) (issued three or four times a month) and the Minor Planet Electronic Circulars (issued as necessary, generally at least once per day).

Please view the links to the MPC websites at:   MPC for Observers and  MPC for the Public.

 

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