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{{short description|International astronomical organization}}
{{Short description|International astronomical organization}}
⚫
The '''Minor Planet Center''' ('''MPC''') is the official worldwide organization in charge of collecting observational data for [[minor planet]]s (such as [[asteroid]]s), calculating their [[orbit]]s and publishing this information via the ''[[#Publications|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]].<ref name="IAU-Centres" />


The '''Minor Planet Center''' ('''MPC''') is the official body for observing and reporting on [[minor planet]]s under the auspices of the [[International Astronomical Union]] (IAU). Founded in 1947, it operates at the [[Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory]].
⚫
The MPC runs a number of free online services for observers to assist them in observing minor planets and comets. The complete catalogue of minor planet orbits (sometimes referred to as the "Minor Planet Catalogue") may also be freely downloaded. In addition to [[astrometric]] data, the MPC collects light curve photometry of minor planets. A key function of the MPC is helping observers coordinate follow up observations of possible [[near-Earth object]]s (NEOs) via its NEO web form and blog.<ref name="MPC-NEO-confirmation" /><ref name="MPC-NEO-blog" /> The MPC is also responsible for identifying, and alerting to, new NEOs with a risk of impacting Earth in the few weeks following their discovery ''(see [[Potentially hazardous object]]s and {{section link||Videos}})''.<ref name="IAU-Centres" />

==Function==
⚫
The Minor Planet Center is the official worldwide organization in charge of collecting observational data for [[minor planet]]s (such as [[asteroid]]s), calculating their [[orbit]]s and publishing this information via the ''[[#Publications|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]].<ref name="IAU-Centres" />

⚫
The MPC runs a number of free online services for observers to assist them in observing minor planets and comets. The complete catalogue of minor planet orbits (sometimes referred to as the "Minor Planet Catalogue") may also be freely downloaded. In addition to [[astrometric]] data, the MPC collects light curve photometry of minor planets. A key function of the MPC is helping observers coordinate follow up observations of possible [[near-Earth object]]s (NEOs) via its NEO web form and blog, the [[Near-Earth Object Confirmation Page]].<ref name="MPC-NEO-confirmation" /><ref name="MPC-NEO-blog" /> The MPC is also responsible for identifying, and alerting to, new NEOs with a risk of impacting Earth in the few weeks following their discovery ''(see [[Potentially hazardous object]]s and {{section link||Videos}})''.<ref name="IAU-Centres" />


== History ==
== History ==


The Minor Planet Center was set up at the [[University of Cincinnati]] in 1947, under the direction of [[Paul Herget]].<ref name="hergetbio" /><ref name="Marsden1980" />{{rp|63}} Upon Herget's retirement on June 30, 1978,<ref name="Marsden1980" />{{rp|67}} the MPC was moved to the SAO, under the direction of [[Brian G. Marsden]].<ref name="Marsden1980"/>{{rp|67}} From 2006–2015,<ref name="MPC-blog-Marsden-stepdown" /> the director of the MPC was [[Timothy Spahr]],<ref name="mpec2010W10" /> who oversaw a staff of five. {{Asof|2015|02}}, the Minor Planet Center is headed by interim director [[Matthew Holman]].<ref name="MPC-blog-Interim-Director" />
The Minor Planet Center was set up at the [[University of Cincinnati]] in 1947, under the direction of [[Paul Herget]].<ref name="hergetbio" /><ref name="Marsden1980" />{{rp|63}} Upon Herget's retirement on June 30, 1978,<ref name="Marsden1980" />{{rp|67}} the MPC was moved to the SAO, under the direction of [[Brian G. Marsden]].<ref name="Marsden1980"/>{{rp|67}} From 2006 to 2015,<ref name="MPC-blog-Marsden-stepdown" /> the director of the MPC was [[Timothy Spahr]],<ref name="mpec2010W10" /> who oversaw a staff of five. From 2015 to 2021, the Minor Planet Center was headed by interim director [[Matthew J. Holman|Matthew Holman]].<ref name="MPC-blog-Interim-Director" /> Under his leadership, the MPC experienced a significant period of reorganization and growth, doubling both its staff size and the volume of observations processed per year. Upon Holman's resignation on February 9, 2021 (announced on February 19, 2021) Matthew Payne became acting director of the MPC.<ref name="MPEC-2021-D60" /><ref name="MPC-About" />

=== Directors ===
* 1947–1978: [[Paul Herget]]
* 1978–2006: [[Brian G. Marsden|Brian Marsden]]
* 2006–2015: [[Timothy B. Spahr|Timothy Spahr]]
* 2015–2021: [[Matthew J. Holman|Matthew Holman]]
* 2021–present: Matthew Payne


== {{anchor|Publications}} Periodical publications ==
== {{anchor|Publications}} Periodical publications ==
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* The '''''Minor Planets and Comets Supplement''''' ('''''MPS''''') is published on behalf of [[International Astronomical Union|IAU]]'s Division F (Planetary Systems and Bioastronomy)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iau.org/science/scientific_bodies/divisions/F/|title=Division F Planetary Systems and Astrobiology |publisher=[[International Astronomical Union]] |access-date=2017-11-07}}</ref> by the Minor Planet Center.
* The '''''Minor Planets and Comets Supplement''''' ('''''MPS''''') is published on behalf of [[International Astronomical Union|IAU]]'s Division F (Planetary Systems and Bioastronomy)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iau.org/science/scientific_bodies/divisions/F/|title=Division F Planetary Systems and Astrobiology |publisher=[[International Astronomical Union]] |access-date=2017-11-07}}</ref> 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.
* 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 ==
== See also ==
* [[Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams]]
* [[Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams]]
* [[International Astronomical Union Circular]]
* [[IAU Circular]]
* [[List of astronomical societies]]
* [[List of minor-planet groups]]
* [[List of minor-planet groups]]
* [[List of minor planets]]
* [[List of minor planets]]
* {{section link|List of minor planets|Main index}}
* {{section link|List of minor planets|Main index}}
* [[Meanings of minor planet names]]
* [[Meanings of minor-planet names]]


== References ==
== References ==
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|last1 = Marsden
|last1 = Marsden
|first1 = B. G.
|first1 = B. G.
|authorlink = Brian G. Marsden
|last2 = Williams
|last2 = Williams
|first2 = G. V.
|first2 = G. V.
Line 53: Line 70:
|publisher = Minor Planet Center
|publisher = Minor Planet Center
|url = http://minorplanetcenter.net/NEOCPblog/
|url = http://minorplanetcenter.net/NEOCPblog/
|accessdate = 20 April 2016
|access-date = 20 April 2016
|url-status = dead
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160413020115/http://minorplanetcenter.net/NEOCPblog/
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160413020115/http://minorplanetcenter.net/NEOCPblog/
Line 75: Line 92:
|title = The Minor Planet Center
|title = The Minor Planet Center
|author = Brian G. Marsden
|author = Brian G. Marsden
|authorlink =Brian G. Marsden
|journal = [[Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy|Celestial Mechanics]]
|journal = [[Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy|Celestial Mechanics]]
|volume = 22
|volume = 22
|pages = 63–71
|pages = 63–71
|date = July 1980
|date = July 1980
|bibcode = 1980CeMec..22...63M
|issue = 1
|bibcode = 1980CeMec..22...63M
|doi = 10.1007/BF01228757 }}</ref>
|doi = 10.1007/BF01228757 |s2cid = 119526916
}}</ref>


<ref name="mpec2010W10">{{cite web
<ref name="mpec2010W10">{{cite web
Line 88: Line 108:
|author = Gareth V. Williams
|author = Gareth V. Williams
|url = https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K10/K10W10.html }}</ref>
|url = https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K10/K10W10.html }}</ref>

<ref name="MPEC-2021-D60">{{cite web
|title = New acting MPC Director – MPEC 2021-D60
|url = https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K21/K21D60.html
|work = Minor Planet Electronic Circular
|publisher = Minor Planet Center
|date = 19 February 2021
|access-date= 22 February 2021}}</ref>


<ref name="MPC-blog-Marsden-stepdown">{{cite web
<ref name="MPC-blog-Marsden-stepdown">{{cite web
Line 100: Line 128:
|archive-date= 2015-08-14
|archive-date= 2015-08-14
|date = 6 January 2015
|date = 6 January 2015
|accessdate = 20 April 2016 }}</ref>
|access-date = 20 April 2016}}</ref>


<ref name="MPC-blog-Interim-Director">{{cite web
<ref name="MPC-blog-Interim-Director">{{cite web
Line 113: Line 141:
|archive-date= 2015-05-26
|archive-date= 2015-05-26
|date = 4 February 2015
|date = 4 February 2015
|accessdate = 1 December 2015 }}</ref>
|access-date = 1 December 2015}}</ref>


<ref name="MPC-Publications">{{cite web
<ref name="MPC-Publications">{{cite web
Line 119: Line 147:
|publisher = Minor Planet Center
|publisher = Minor Planet Center
|url = https://minorplanetcenter.net//iau/services/MPCServices.html
|url = https://minorplanetcenter.net//iau/services/MPCServices.html
|accessdate = 6 May 2016 }}</ref>
|access-date = 6 May 2016}}</ref>


<ref name="MPC-Circulars-Archive">{{cite web
<ref name="MPC-Circulars-Archive">{{cite web
Line 125: Line 153:
|publisher = Minor Planet Center
|publisher = Minor Planet Center
|url = https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/ECS/MPCArchive/MPCArchive_TBL.html
|url = https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/ECS/MPCArchive/MPCArchive_TBL.html
|accessdate = 6 May 2016 }}</ref>
|access-date = 6 May 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="MPC-About">{{cite web
|title = Staff – Matthew Payne, MPC Acting Director
|publisher = Minor Planet Center
|url = https://minorplanetcenter.net/about
|access-date = 22 February 2021}}</ref>


}} <!-- end of reflist -->
}} <!-- end of reflist -->
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* [https://minorplanetcenter.net//iau/MPCORB.html The MPC Orbit (MPCORB) Database]
* [https://minorplanetcenter.net//iau/MPCORB.html The MPC Orbit (MPCORB) Database]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160325123230/http://iawn.net/2015_national_harbor/MPC_IAWN_Holman.pdf The Minor Planet Center Status Report], [[Matthew J. Holman]], ''8 November 2015''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160325123230/http://iawn.net/2015_national_harbor/MPC_IAWN_Holman.pdf The Minor Planet Center Status Report], [[Matthew J. Holman]], ''8 November 2015''
* [https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/RecentMPECs.html Recent MPECs], list of most-recently-published ''Minor Planet Electronic Circulars''
* [https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/RecentMPECs.html Recent MPECs], list of most-recently published ''Minor Planet Electronic Circulars''


=== Videos ===
=== Videos ===
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* {{YouTube|id=8M_27st1ZCI|title=Asteroid Hazards, Part 3: ''Finding the Path''}} {{small|(min. 5:38)}}
* {{YouTube|id=8M_27st1ZCI|title=Asteroid Hazards, Part 3: ''Finding the Path''}} {{small|(min. 5:38)}}


{{Portal bar|Astronomy|Stars|Spaceflight|Outer space|Solar System|Education|Science}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


Latest revision as of 13:52, 21 December 2023

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[edit]

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.[1]

The MPC runs a number of free online services for observers to assist them in observing minor planets and comets. The complete catalogue of minor planet orbits (sometimes referred to as the "Minor Planet Catalogue") may also be freely downloaded. In addition to astrometric data, the MPC collects light curve photometry of minor planets. A key function of the MPC is helping observers coordinate follow up observations of possible near-Earth objects (NEOs) via its NEO web form and blog, the Near-Earth Object Confirmation Page.[2][3] The MPC is also responsible for identifying, and alerting to, new NEOs with a risk of impacting Earth in the few weeks following their discovery (see Potentially hazardous objects and § Videos).[1]

History[edit]

The Minor Planet Center was set up at the University of Cincinnati in 1947, under the direction of Paul Herget.[4][5]: 63  Upon Herget's retirement on June 30, 1978,[5]: 67  the MPC was moved to the SAO, under the direction of Brian G. Marsden.[5]: 67  From 2006 to 2015,[6] the director of the MPC was Timothy Spahr,[7] who oversaw a staff of five. From 2015 to 2021, the Minor Planet Center was headed by interim director Matthew Holman.[8] Under his leadership, the MPC experienced a significant period of reorganization and growth, doubling both its staff size and the volume of observations processed per year. Upon Holman's resignation on February 9, 2021 (announced on February 19, 2021) Matthew Payne became acting director of the MPC.[9][10]

Directors[edit]

Periodical publications[edit]

"Minor Planet Circulars" and "Minor Planet Electronic Circulars" redirect here. For the publication by ALPO, see The Minor Planet Bulletin.

The MPC periodically releases astrometric observations of minor planets, as well as of comets and natural satellites. These publications are the Minor Planet Circulars (MPCs), the Minor Planet Electronic Circulars (MPECs), and the Minor Planet Supplements (MPSs and MPOs).[11] An extensive archive of publications in a PDF format is available at the Minor Planet Center's website. The archive's oldest publication dates back to 1 November 1977 (MPC 4937–5016).[12]

  • Minor Planet Circulars (M.P.C. or MPCs), established 1947, is a scientific journal that is generally published by the Minor Planet Center on the date of each full moon, when the number of reported observations are minimal due to the brighter night sky. The Circulars contain astrometric observations, orbits and ephemerides of minor planets, comets and certain natural satellites. The astrometric observations of comets are published in full, while the minor planet observations are summarised by observatory code (the full observations now being given in the Minor Planet Circulars Supplement). New numberings and namings of minor planets (also see Naming of Minor Planets), as well as numberings of periodic comets and natural satellites, are announced in the Circulars. New orbits for comets and natural satellites appear in the Circulars; new orbits for minor planets appear in the Minor Planets and Comets Orbit Supplement (see below).
  • The Minor Planet Electronic Circulars (MPECs) are published by the Minor Planet Center. They generally contain positional observations and orbits of unusual minor planets and all comets. Monthly lists of observable unusual objects, observable distant objects, observable comets and the critical list of numbered minor planets also appear on these circulars. Daily Orbit Update MPECs, issued every day, contain new identifications and orbits of minor planets, obtained over the previous 24 hours.
  • The Minor Planets and Comets Supplement (MPS) is published on behalf of IAU's Division F (Planetary Systems and Bioastronomy)[13] 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[edit]

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".[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Centres: Minor Planet Center. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  2. ^ Marsden, B. G.; Williams, G. V. (February–March 1998). "The NEO Confirmation Page". Planetary and Space Science. 46 (2–3): 299. Bibcode:1998P&SS...46..299M. doi:10.1016/S0032-0633(96)00153-5.
  3. ^ "Real time reporting of NEOCP follow up". NEOCP Blog. Minor Planet Center. Archived from the original on 2016-04-13. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  4. ^ Donald E. Osterbrock & P. Kenneth Seidelmann (1987). "Paul Herget: 1908–1981" (PDF). Biographical Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences. Vol. 57. National Academies Press. pp. 64–65. ISBN 9780585272801. OCLC 45729798.
  5. ^ a b c Brian G. Marsden (July 1980). "The Minor Planet Center". Celestial Mechanics. 22 (1): 63–71. Bibcode:1980CeMec..22...63M. doi:10.1007/BF01228757. S2CID 119526916.
  6. ^ Galoche, J.L. (6 January 2015). "Minor Planet Center Director Steps Down". The Daily Minor Planet Blog. Minor Planet Center. Archived from the original on 2015-08-14. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  7. ^ Gareth V. Williams (18 November 2010). "MPEC 2010-W10: Brian Marsden (1937 Aug. 5 – 2010 Nov. 18)". Minor Planet Electronic Circular.
  8. ^ Galoche, J.L. (4 February 2015). "Interim Director Appointed to the Minor Planet Center". The Daily Minor Planet Blog. Minor Planet Center. Archived from the original on 2015-05-26. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  9. ^ "New acting MPC Director – MPEC 2021-D60". Minor Planet Electronic Circular. Minor Planet Center. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Staff – Matthew Payne, MPC Acting Director". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  11. ^ "MPC: Publications". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  12. ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  13. ^ "Division F Planetary Systems and Astrobiology". International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 2017-11-07.

External links[edit]

Videos[edit]

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