MPC Operations Status

• Processing (Info)
• ECS: Accessible
• MPC Status Page

Observer Services (NEOs)

• NEO Services Overview
• NEO Confirmation
• NEO Confirmation (RA order)
• NEO Ratings
• NEO Page
• NEO Observation Planning Aid
• NEOChecker
• NEOCMTChecker
• NEOCP Blog

Observer Services

• Services Overview
• Minor Planet & Comet Ephem.
• Natural Satellite Ephemerides
• New Object Ephemerides
• MPChecker
• CMTChecker
• Distant Artificial Satellites
• Observing List Customizer
• Sky Coverage

Databases

• MPC Database
• Light Curve Database

Orbital Elements

• Orbital Elements Overview
• MPCORB
• Orbital Elements for Programs
• MPCAT
• MPCUPDATE

Astrometric Observations

• MPCAT-OBS
• MPCOBS

Publications

• Publications Overview
• MPECs
• MPC Archive
• MPC RSS Feeds
• CBAT RSS Feeds

Documentation

• Documentation Overview
• Tech Info
• Minor Body Astrometry
• What's New

Lists and Plots

• Lists and Plots Overview
• Critical-List Minor Planets
• Minor Planets
• Comets
• Animations

General

• MPC Blog
• Contact Us
• Index
• Site Map
• Search Site

Links

• Minor Planet Center
• Central Bureau for Astro. Tel.
• Cometary Science Archive
• International Comet Quarterly
• Smithsonian Astro. Obs.

The Minor Planet Center (MPC) operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), under the auspices of Division III of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The MPC is responsible for the designation of minor bodies in the solar system: minor planets; comets, in conjunction with the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT); and natural satellites (also in conjunction with CBAT). The MPC is also responsible for the collection, computation, checking and dissemination of astrometric observations and orbits for minor planets, comets, and natural satellites. The MPC derives its current operating budget from a NASA grant. Computer equipment used by the MPC is provided with support from the Tamkin Foundation.

Visitors new to this website should peruse the MPC Overview page for descriptions of the various publications and services offered.

Inquires regarding the operations of the MPC can be sent via email to Dr. Timothy B. Spahr, Director.

Total	Minor Planets	Comets
87340318	86767587	572731

Total	Numbered Minor Planets	Unnumbered Minor Planets	Comet Apparitions
595050	312936	280281	1833

Publication	Date	Contents
Minor Planet Circulars 77873–78274	2012-02-07	Identifications, observation summaries, numberings, names, citations, orbital elements, comet ephemerides
Minor Planet Circulars Orbit Supplement 218151–221260	2012-02-07	Identification and orbital element details
Minor Planet Circulars Supplement 410099–411516	2012-02-07	Observation details

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Census of Minor Planets

Orbits and observations of these objects are available on the MPC Database search page.

Near-Earth Objects	8608
1+ KM Near-Earth Objects	1254
Potentially Hazardous Asteroids	1299

The Minor Planet Center is soliciting observations for the following unconfirmed possible Near Earth Objects (NEOs),
ephemerides for which may be obtained on the NEO Confirmation Page:

Temp. Desig.	UT Date	R.A.	Decl.	Magn.	Remarks
P102zhU	2012 Feb. 12.4	09 43.6	-09 14	20.4	Added Feb. 12.93 UT [1 nighter]
P102zhx	2012 Feb. 12.4	09 34.3	-06 01	20.5	Added Feb. 12.92 UT [1 nighter]
TCA5D74	2012 Feb. 12.1	08 55.0	+22 18	22.2	Added Feb. 12.22 UT [1 nighter]
TC0358C	2012 Feb. 12.1	03 08.6	+06 03	19.6	Updated Feb. 13.14 UT
TCA53C7	2012 Feb. 11.3	09 53.1	+11 43	21.4	Added Feb. 11.41 UT [1 nighter]
TCA4F61	2012 Feb. 11.3	09 28.8	+12 44	20.9	Updated Feb. 11.42 UT [1 nighter]
TCA3862	2012 Feb. 11.1	05 13.6	+24 18	20.4	Updated Feb. 12.07 UT

Observers are encouraged to view and contribute to the NEOCP Blog in order to communicate with other observers in near real-time regarding which possible NEOs are being targeted.