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    • Minor Planet & Comet Ephemeris Service

    This webpage serves three purposes:
    1. To allow an observer to get ephemerides (utilizing the latest published elements) and/or elements for an arbitrary set of (up to 100 at a time) minor planets or comets.
    2. To allow an observer to check the current observability of an arbitrary set of (up to 100 at a time) minor planets, then to get ephemerides and/or elements for those deemed to be observable.
    3. To allow an observer to prepare an HTML document that can be placed on their own website, with the aim of encouraging others to perform follow-up astrometry of their minor planet discoveries. Of course, this facility can also be used to generate a page for any arbitrary set of minor planets.
      • Once a page has been placed on your site, you can forget about it. You do not need to update the page as orbits are improved or as objects are identified or numbered--this is all handled transparently by this service. You need only modify the page as you discover new objects.
    In either case, enter your list of desired objects in the text-area indicated. By default, ephemerides will be returned. If you desire a HTML document to be returned, check the appropriate box. Further options, specific to each purpose are accessible further down this page.

    A PDF document (633 KB) describing the use of the MPES is available. (Updated 2011 Jan. 14)

    Information on any known problems with this service is available.

    Report a problem. Comment on this service.

    Why can't I find an object with a particular name? (Added 2004 Sept. 7)

    Note: If you wish an ephemeris for the main component of comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS), please enter CK19Y04b