minor planet names

Minor planet names, including those of asteroids and dwarf planets, are managed by the Minor Planet Center, a branch of the IAU. They consist, in their final form, of a number originally assigned in approximate order of discovery, now assigned only after the orbit is determined, coupled with a name, which may be provisional or assigned by its discoverer, with the syntax (Number) Name, e.g. (50000) Quaoar or (90377) Sedna. The parentheses may be dropped, abridging the designation to 50000 Quaoar or 90377 Sedna, according to the preference of the astronomer or journal. In practice, however, the number is mostly a catalogue entry for any reasonably well-known object, and may be dropped completely.
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