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Orbital Data

These data sets contain derived data relating to the orbits of objects.
These data sets will include the proper elements and dynamical families. Orbital observations can be ground based or from spacecraft. Orbital data sets are typically collected over a longer time period to allow for a complete observation of an orbital path.

• CMOR Meteoroid Streams Survey
• High-i Asteroid Families
• Iannini Asteroid Family Spectra
• MRC (Mothe-Diniz, Roig, and Carvano) Asteroid Families
• Nesvorny HCM Asteroid Families
• Proper Elements - outdated; see AstDys and NEODys sites linked below for more recent asteroid proper elements.
• Steel Meteoroid Orbits
• Sub-Kilometer Asteroid Diameter Survey (SKADS)
• Zappala Asteroid Families
• Asteroids Which Closely Approach Earth's Orbit
• Close Approaches between Earth and Asteroids

PDS does not maintain an archive of asteroid orbital elements, as these are calculated on short time-scales. For access to current asteroid orbital elements on the web, see these sites:

• The Minor Planet Center The Minor Planet Center catalogs asteroid and comet identifications and orbital elements, and prepares ephemerides and lists of observable objects. They are the world's central repository for asteroid and comet astrometric observations.
• Asteroid Dynamic Site (AstDyS) provides orbital elements of asteroids as well as proper elements of MBA's, TNO's, and Trojans.
• Near Earth Asteroid Dynamic Site (NEODyS) provides orbital elements and risk assessment for Near Earth Asteroids.
• Lowell Observatory Asteroid Orbital Elements Database provides a file, astorb.dat, containing elements for all numbered asteroids.