In this tutorial you will learn about asteroids, a very interesting
and current topic in our exploration of the Solar System and of
planetary formation. You will learn about their orbital
characteristics by querying a database.
Intermediate computer skills are recommended, as the tutorial requires
the (guided) query of online electronic databases and use of
histograms.
The EPN-TAP 2.0 version of the complete asteroid data from the Minor
Planet Center (MPC), updated once per month. The MPC operates at the
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory under the auspices of Division
III of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
The MPC Orbit database contains orbital elements of minor planets that
have been published in the Minor Planet Circulars, the Minor Planet
Orbit Supplement and the Minor Planet Electronic Circulars.
Complete Asteroid Data from the Minor Planet Center (MPC),
updated once per month. The MPC operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical
Observatory under the auspices of Division III of the International
Astronomical Union (IAU).
The MPC Orbit database contains orbital elements of minor
planets that have been published in the Minor Planet Circulars,
the Minor Planet Orbit Supplement and the Minor Planet
Electronic Circulars.
