Welcome to MinorPlanet.Info

This web site serves as a gateway to the Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link (CALL) web site in addition to many other subsites, external sites, and pages that concern research on asteroids (the "minor planets").

Use the links at left to navigate to the subsites.

Latest Announcements

LCDB 2013 March Release
The on-line version of the LCDB was updated on 2013 February 28 The text file version (in a ZIP file) was updated at the same time.

New Observation Planning Tools Page (2012 October 30)
A new Observation Planning Toolspage has been added to the navigation bar. On this page you'll find links to the Ephemeris Generator, LCDB query form, and a new ALCDEF query form.

The MPC has made the entire ALCDEF database available as a single download. These have been converted to an SQL database so that a mirror site under this gateway can provide an easier way to access the data for a given asteroid (or group) and download only those lightcurves that are needed or of use.

Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link (CALL)

The CALL web site provides pages to where you can "reserve" an asteroid for observation. This lets other observers know that you are working it and either find another target or to request a collaboration in order to gather more data sooner. You can also submit the results of your asteroid lightcurve observations so that they are available to others prior to formal publication. The CALL site includes subpages that provide lists of targets for upcoming and recent past 3-month periods and other sites dedicated to asteroid lightcurve efforts.

The Minor Planet Bulletin

The Minor Planet Bulletin is the journal for amateurs (and even professionals) to publish individual lightcurves (one at a time or in bulk). The Bulletin is indexed by the ADS and found in the libraries of major observatories and institutions around the world. Since the early 21st century, the MPB has published the vast majority of new asteroid lightcurves.

The Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB)

The asteroid lightcurve database (LCDB; Warner et al., 2009, Icarus 202, 134-146) is a compilation of published results that now includes period/amplitude parameters for more than 4,000 asteroids. In addition to a ZIP file download that contains pre-generated files, the LCDB pages include a query page where you can generate custom reports.