Target Names

Introduction

Names for small bodies are tricky. Many minor planets have multiple designations, and it is common for new names to be added or existing names changed or modified sometimes long after they were initially assigned. There are also numerous name collisions between small bodies of various types - there are comets that share names with asteroids, asteroids with the same name as meteorites, and planetary moons with the same names as asteroids. So when identifying observational targets in your PDS data products, it is vitally important that the target be uniquely identified by the <name> in its <Target_Identification> class.

Unambiguous Identification

The make sure a target object is uniquely identified, you should formulate the <name> value so that the following is true:

1. The name string contains at least one identifier that can only be associated with a single physical object.
2. The name string contains at least two different identifiers for each object wherever possible.

The first rule ensures that there is only a single object that could possibly be intended; the second provides a cross-check on that identification, in case the identity of the target object is questioned. To help with parsing name strings for use in database searches, the SBN has developed the following style sheet for formulating target names. You must use this format for all target names in products archived with the Small Bodies Node.

If you have any questions about the correct name string to use, please contact the Small Bodies Node and we will happily convert whatever ID you have to a unique name string for your labels.

SBN Target Name Strings

Following are the rules for formulating values of the <name> attribute in your <Target_Identification> classes for any and all data coming in to the SBN archives. Unless otherwise stated, SBN follows the formatting conventions used by the organizations responsible for assigning names and designations to these objects - the International Astronomical Union (IAU) or its designated deputy. For definitions of the various name and identification types mentioned below, see Solar System Object Names elsewhere on this wiki.

Major Planets

Format: Name

For the eight major planets (and the sun), the name string is just the properly capitalized English name - so "Jupiter", not "JUPITER" or "jupiter".

Examples:

• Earth
• Jupiter
• Sun

Dwarf Planets

Format: (minor_planet_number) Name

Dwarf planets should be identified by Minor Planet Number in parentheses followed by their properly capitalized English name.

Examples:

• (1) Ceres
• (134340) Pluto
• (136199) Eris

Asteroids

Formats:

1.	(minor_planet_number) Name
2.	(minor_planet_number) principal_provisional_designation
3.	principal_provisional_designation (provisional_designation)
4.	provisional_designation

Use format #1 when the asteroid has both a minor planet number and a name. The number comes first and is enclosed in parentheses.

Use format #2 for asteroids that have a minor planet number, but have not yet been officially named. Asteroids with more than one provisional designation will have one of those designations indicated as the principal one. If an asteroid has only one provisional designation, it is considered the principal provisional designation for name string creation purposes.

Use format #3 if the asteroid has not yet received a minor planet number, referencing it by its principal provisional designation and providing one other provisional designation as a cross-reference.

Use format #4 for those cases where the target is an asteroid that has only a single provisional designation attached to it. This is likely to be rare in archival data.

Examples:

1. (2309) Mr. Spock
2. (12528) 1998 KL31
3. 2015 AQ230 (2010 GS119)
4. 2015 AA23