Minor Planet Location Website

Hi all

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any websites that give the locations and maps of minor planets?

I'd like to obsersve some of these objects and a good downloadable map will really help.

Thanks in advance.

Paul

Paul - the best starting place is here: www.minorplanetcenter.org/iau/mpc.html

For orbit diagrams for specific minor planets, go here (you'll need Java): neo.jpl.nasa.gov/orbits/

As for locations and maps, because the minor planets change position quickly (relative to the stars) your best best is a planetarium program. Some will certainly accept orbital elements for minor planets of your choice and can then plot them onto the current sky.

As for observable minor planets, depends how faint your setup can go to. I'm assuming you're visual. There mightn't be too many visual opportunities but you should be able to bag a few.

Not sure how much that helps you out, but it should give you a start.

Cheers
Dave

What planetarium software do you have? You can download MPCORB.dat at MPCORB which will plot position and mag of all asteroids. Its big though. Works with my Sky 6 software and think it can work on Cartes Du Ciel though not sure.

Many thanks for the links guys, I currently use Cartes Du Ciel.

I know that I will not be expected to observe too many minor planets with my 110mm refractor, but I think that it will make an intesting sketching project, and if the weather permits, talk about living in hope, :silly: the position can be sketched over a number of nights.

Paul

Cartes Du Ciel can utilise the MPC data Carte Du Ciel Asteroid Page