Descriptive Entry

This accession consists of the Minor Planet Center (MPC) website as it existed on February 26, 2013. The Minor Planet Center operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 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 website provides information about services provided to observers and about available publications and software. It also includes technical information and other documentation. Observational data is not included in this accession. Materials are in electronic format.