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 and comets, via its various journals :

The Minor Planet Center (MPC) is the single worldwide location for receipt and distribution of positional measurements of minor planets, comets and outer irregular natural satellites of the major planets.

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: …

Jan 29, 2025 · This research has made use of data and/or services provided by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center. The tables below contain a partial list of data files provided by the Minor Planet Center.

We are the official body that deals with astrometric observations and orbits of minor planets (asteroids) and comets.

May 1, 2024 · We are the official body that deals with astrometric observations and orbits of minor planets (asteroids) and comets.

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.

The Minor Planet Center collects observational data from professional and amateur astronomers, recording the discoverer and name of each object. This data is particularly important for tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs), which are asteroids that pass relatively close to Earth.

The numbered minor planets have been discovered by a large number of individuals and teams. Lists of the discovery statistics are available ordered by number of discoveries and alphabetically . Also available is a list of the number of discoveries made at the most prolific discovery sites .

The Minor Planet Center is hosted by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. The Minor Planet Center is funded by NASA. ...