Current NEOCP and PCCP orbit data

Purpose

This site collects current NEOCP and PCCP observations, orbit solutions, ephemerides, uncertainty indicators, and observing statistics. The data are intended to help observers assess candidates and prepare follow-up observations. Very short observed arcs can produce highly uncertain or rapidly changing orbit solutions, so all derived values must be interpreted together with the observation count, observed arc, and time of the last observation.

Automatic updates

A continuously running local monitor checks the MPC observation page every five minutes. When relevant MPC data change, the orbit and ephemeris data are recalculated locally, the website is rebuilt, and the validated result is staged atomically for publication. A scheduled refresh also keeps auxiliary files and presentation data current.

Files for planetarium and orbit software

The current random-orbit ensemble is available as orbits.all. It can be loaded in Guide as an MPCORB file with Alt+J. Restart Guide after selecting a different orbit file.

The current observations are available in obs.all. The CUSTOM.ORB file contains current NEOCP/PCCP elements in the format used by Tycho Tracker.

Other planetarium programs that accept MPCORB-style data may also be able to read orbits.all. Keep a backup of the program's normal asteroid data before replacing or combining files.

Filename encoding

Windows filenames are case-insensitive. To preserve lowercase letters in object designations, each lowercase letter is prefixed with an underscore in generated filenames. For example, ZTF025s becomes ZTF025_s, while ZTF025S remains unchanged.

Legacy command-line package

The ZIP archive contains the legacy standalone Windows command-line package. The public website itself is now generated by the continuously running local monitor described above. Current service commands and options are documented on the CLI-Parameter page of the modern presentation.

Donations and newsletter

You can support hosting and development with a donation through PayPal. Use get-cp-orbits as the subject. If you include an email address, it will be used only for occasional messages about important changes. A supporter name or link will be published only when the donation message explicitly requests publication; donation amounts are not published.

Guide 9.1 comet-download repair

Michael Koch described a working repair for the comet-download function in Guide 9.1 in his video astronomy book. After updating to Guide 9.1, back up the existing file and copy add_mpc.hee into the Guide directory. For another language, use the matching final filename letter, for example add_mpc.hed for German.