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Minor Planet and Comet Designations
Asteroids and comets are given designated names to identify them. There are two types of name used provisional and permanent designations.
Permanent Names
Permanent names are assigned by the International Astronomical Union and are usually suggested by the discoverer. Asteroids are given and original
number and a name (e.g. (433) Eros), comets are typically named after their discoverers.
Provisional Names
Provisional names of asteroids are assigned according to when they were discovered. The first part of the name is simply the year
of its discovery. The first letter denotes the half month and the second letter represents how many other asteroids had been discovered in that half month. Asteroid
2002 MX, for example, was the 23rd asteroid discovered in late June, 2002.
For more details on NEO names please refer to the International Astronomical Union.
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