Minor Planet Center

The Minor Planet Center operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), which is part of the Center for Astrophysics (CfA)

Related Topics:
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory - Center for Astrophysics

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along with the Harvard College Observatory (HCO).

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Under the auspices of the IAU, it is the official organization in charge of collecting observational data for minor planets (asteroids) and comets and calculating their orbits, and publishing this information. It runs a number of free on-line services for observers to assist them in observing minor planets and comets. The

Related Topics:
IAU - Minor planet - Asteroid - Comet

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complete catalogue of minor planet orbits (MPCORB) may also be freely

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downloaded.

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The Minor Planet Center was set up at the University of Cincinnati

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in 1947, under the direction of Paul Herget. Upon Herget's

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retirement in 1978, the MPC was moved to the SAO, under the

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direction of Brian Marsden.

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