Astrophysics (Index)About

provisional designation

(way to designate newly discovered solar system objects)

Provisional designation systems have been devised to provide immediate labels for objects that have just been discovered, allowing time to consider their eventual permanent names. Distant objects can be immediately labeled by their position on the celestial sphere, but for newly-discovered solar system objects (e.g., minor planets), a designation independent of position is necessary to accommodate observed objects seen at different locations and times that are theorized to be the same object in an orbit. A survey-based designator is often used, but general systems have also been adopted that are based upon the date and order of discovery (or order of report of the discovery). Such a system is needed because of the huge number of candidates discovered, whose observation-data must be tracked while follow-ups help rule out known objects and provide data to reliably identify the same object in the future. The format for (solar system) minor planets:

DDDD AAnumber

Example: 2016 EK156

Permanent numbers are assigned to minor planets when their orbit has been reliably established (to certain criteria), which is now generally before are given any permanent name. Permanent number 1 was assigned to the first asteroid discovered (Ceres) and numbering currently proceeds by assigning the number following the previously highest assigned number. The term numbered object refers to a minor planet that has received such a number.

For comets, a naming system is used that is different in detail, but also based on the year. Note that it may not be clear whether the object is a comet, and subsequent observation may change the determination, motivating an additional designation.


(astronomy,designation,solar system)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provisional_designation_in_astronomy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_of_comets#Current_system
https://minorplanetcenter.net/iau/info/DesDoc.html

Referenced by pages:
101955 Bennu
minor planet
New Horizons (NF1)
Sedna

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