MPC Operations Status
The Minor Planet Center operates in two distinct modes of operation, which are described below.Processing Mode
Processing is the normal mode of operation. Automated processes handle the bulk of the incoming observation batches.MPC Preparation Mode
When the checking of material that is to appear in the next batch of Minor Planet Circulars begins, the MPC switches into preparation mode. The primary difference between preparation and processing modes is that new observatory codes are not attended to in preparation mode. Most automated procedures handle observations as in processing mode.
MPC Status Page
A page describing any problem with the MPC (either in internal processing of observations or with the webpages or web scripts) is available.ECS Files
The files available in the ECS are those associated with the 2012 MAY 6 and 2012 APR. 6 batches of MPCs.
The last batch of mid-month MPS batches included in the file available in the ECS are those associated with the 2012 MAY 20 batch.
Name Proposals
The CSBN has approved 169 names for publication in the 2012 May batch of Minor Planet Circulars.The CSBN is considering 91 name proposals intended for publication in the 2012 July batch of Minor Planet Circulars.
Name proposals submitted on or after 2012 April 30 will be considered by the CSBN for publication in the 2012 September batch of Minor Planet Circulars.
Please note that the two latest publication dates are a month later than originally announced.
