IAU Minor Planet Center

MPC Submission Information

For those wishing to submit astrometric observations for publication in the Minor Planet Circulars information is available on the format of astrometric observations. Observations, formatted as described therein, should be sent to mpc@cfa.harvard.edu. Reports for new comets discovered visually (or on SOHO images) should be e-mailed to the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (cbat@cfa.harvard.edu). Reports for new comets discovered by other means should be reported to both CBAT and MPC.

Further technical information on Minor Planet Center submissions is available:

• Observation format
  • Details on the new observation format
    • You must also ensure that you have set your anonymous ftp password in your browser. This password must contain the "@" character. The default settings for browsers such as Netscape and Mozilla will not work.
    • Some browsers cannot reach the above URL: this is due to problems in the browsers. If your browser is one of these, try this link and then manually navigate to the pub/ directory and then to the MPC/ directory.
  • Previously, there was an announced date for the changeover on this page. Due to circumstances beyond our control changeover on this previously-announced date was not possible. More details will be provided later.
  • Information we need from observers in order to start using the new observation format
  • Provisional designations
• Indication of observational details
• Orbit format (export)
  • The HTML pages describing the new format for import of orbital elements will be available here at some future date.
• Orbit format (import) Orbits submitted for publication in the MPCs need to be in a special format.
  • The document describing the new format for import of orbital elements will be available here at some future date.
• Indication of perturbing bodies for orbits
• Alphabetic notes for orbits
• Calculation of the orbital-uncertainty parameter, U
• Guide to Minor Body Astrometry: Notes for new or potential astrometrists
• List of orbit computers (and other codes) on the Daily Orbit Update MPECs
• Links to various technical lists
  • These lists contain low-level information generated during MPC operation and are not formatted for casual viewing.
  • Break down of amateur discoveries
  • Yearly break down of observations
  • Status of designated objects (by year and half-month)
  • Statistics on residuals from observations of minor planets, by observatory code
  • Statistics on residuals from observations of numbered minor planets, by observatory code
• Information on how discoverers can name their numbered discoveries.

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