Minor Planet Site

: Bodies located beyond the orbit of Neptune, including Kuiper Belt objects.

The study of minor planets is essential for several reasons: FindPOTATOs: Minor Planet Observation Linking Software minor planet

Minor planets are found in diverse regions of the solar system, reflecting various evolutionary paths: : Bodies located beyond the orbit of Neptune,

The term "minor planet" is an astronomical classification encompassing all small solar system bodies that are not comets. As of early 2026, over 1.5 million minor planets have been identified. These bodies are distinguished from major planets based on three criteria established by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) : : They must orbit a star (the Sun). These bodies are distinguished from major planets based

: Located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, this region contains the highest concentration of rocky asteroids.

The Nature and Dynamics of Minor Planets in the Solar System

: They must have sufficient gravity to achieve a nearly spherical shape.