RedShift 3 includes data on 7,369 minor planets; minor planets are more commonly known as asteroids. Their orbital parameters (and certain other information) were obtained from the following data sources.

1. The Catalogue of Orbital Parameters and Ephemerides for Minor Planets - STAMP-98 (Stack of Tables for Minor Planets), issued by the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
This catalogue contains the orbits of 7,316 asteroids. The following data are supplied for each object:

  • A classification number
  • The name of the asteroid or, if absent, its designation
  • The slope-value used in computing the asteroid's visual magnitude
  • The following basic orbital elements (these are osculating orbital elements obtained from
  • improvements to the orbits, using numerical integration to take account of perturbations):
    M = mean anomaly in epoch
    ω = argument of perihelion
    Ω = longitude of the ascending node
    i = inclination
    e = eccentricity
    a = semi-major axis
    In accordance with the recommendations of IAU Commission 20, the osculating orbital elements are given for a particular standard epoch during the year. In STAMP-98 the epoch is taken as JD 245 1000.5 = 1998 July 6.0 TDT. The angular elements correspond to the mean ecliptic and equinox of J2000.0.

    2. The List of Transneptunian Objects (also known as Kuiper Belt objects).
    This list contains data on 53 objects. The following data are supplied for each object:

  • The object's designation (as supplied for the main asteroids)
  • Perihelion (q) and aphelion (Q) distances
  • The following orbital elements:
    to = epoch of osculation
    M o = mean anomaly of epoch
    ω,Ω, i = angular elements of orbit
    e = eccentricity
    a = semi-major axis
  • The number of oppositions at which the object has been observed. If observations have been made at one opposition only the arc length is given (in days)
  • Reference to the published orbit
  • The date and site of its discovery, and the discoverers name(s)

    3. The catalogue: Taxonomic Classification of Asteroids, by D.Tholen
    This catalogue provides:

  • The group the asteroid belongs to (using the adopted classification)
  • Albedo and diameter of the asteroid

    4. The Catalogue of Circumstances of Minor Planet Discovery, by F.Pilcher
    This catalogue provides:

  • Date of discovery
  • Name of discoverer
  • Institution (observatory)
  • Place of discovery