Near-Earth obj. | MBA (inner) | MBA (outer) | Centaur |
Mars-crosser | MBA (middle) | Jupiter trojan | Trans-Neptunian obj. |
Unclassified | |||
The colorization is based on the following defining criteria of a minor planet's (MPs) orbital elements such as semimajor axis a, perihelion distance q, aphelion distance Q, and orbital eccentricity e. Figures below give the actual number distribution of MPs by color-coded orbital class. They are used in the color-coded partial lists of minor planets. [1]
Principal orbital groups | MPs (#) | MPs (%) | Distribution | Orbital criteria |
---|---|---|---|---|
Near-Earth object(a) | 3,104 | 0.50% |
|
q < 1.3 AU |
Mars-crosser | 6,180 | 1.00% | 1.3 AU < q < 1.666 AU; a < 3.2 AU | |
MBA (inner) | 195,710 | 31.74% | a < 2.5 AU; q > 1.666 AU | |
MBA (middle) | 216,729 | 35.14% | 2.5 AU < a < 2.82 AU; q > 1.666 AU | |
MBA (outer) | 187,562 | 30.41% | 2.82 AU < a < 4.6 AU; q > 1.666 AU | |
Jupiter trojan | 6,300 | 1.02% | 4.6 AU < a < 5.5 AU; e < 0.3 | |
Centaur | 158 | 0.03% | 5.5 AU < a < 30.1 AU | |
Trans-Neptunian object | 912 | 0.15% | a > 30.1 AU | |
Total (numbered) | 616,690(b) | 100% | Source: JPL's SBDB [1] |
Code | Group | Code | Group |
---|---|---|---|
#FFC2E0 | NEOs | #FA8072 | MCs |
#FEFEFE | MBA (inner) | #E9E9E9 | MBA (middle) |
#D6D6D6 | MBA (outer) | #C2FFFF | JTs |
#C7FF8F | Centaurs | #C2E0FF | TNOs |
#B88A00 | unclassified |
The orbital classification largely follows JPL's conventions (see definitions below), except for the boundary of inner/outer main-belt asteroids which are grouped by the two major Kirkwood gaps (a at 2.5 and 2.82 AU, instead of JPL's 2.0 and 3.2 AU). Also the Apollo, Amor, Aten, and Atira groups have no distinct color and are displayed with one color as NEOs. For outer main-belt asteroids, the criteria "q > 1.666 AU" has also been added.
{{
Infobox planet}}
: adjust the background color of the heading sections in {{Infobox planet}} to the above color scheme with |background=
. This allows for a basic distinction of NEOs, MBAs, Jupiter trojans, centaurs and TNOs at first glance. Since the background of the infobox itself already uses a light-grey background color, the heading sections should use #D6D6D6
for all main-belt object articles, irrespective whether they are inner, middle or outer belt asteroids.Near-Earth obj. | MBA (inner) | MBA (outer) | Centaur |
Mars-crosser | MBA (middle) | Jupiter trojan | Trans-Neptunian obj. |
Unclassified | |||
The colorization is based on the following defining criteria of a minor planet's (MPs) orbital elements such as semimajor axis a, perihelion distance q, aphelion distance Q, and orbital eccentricity e. Figures below give the actual number distribution of MPs by color-coded orbital class. They are used in the color-coded partial lists of minor planets. [1]
Principal orbital groups | MPs (#) | MPs (%) | Distribution | Orbital criteria |
---|---|---|---|---|
Near-Earth object(a) | 3,104 | 0.50% |
|
q < 1.3 AU |
Mars-crosser | 6,180 | 1.00% | 1.3 AU < q < 1.666 AU; a < 3.2 AU | |
MBA (inner) | 195,710 | 31.74% | a < 2.5 AU; q > 1.666 AU | |
MBA (middle) | 216,729 | 35.14% | 2.5 AU < a < 2.82 AU; q > 1.666 AU | |
MBA (outer) | 187,562 | 30.41% | 2.82 AU < a < 4.6 AU; q > 1.666 AU | |
Jupiter trojan | 6,300 | 1.02% | 4.6 AU < a < 5.5 AU; e < 0.3 | |
Centaur | 158 | 0.03% | 5.5 AU < a < 30.1 AU | |
Trans-Neptunian object | 912 | 0.15% | a > 30.1 AU | |
Total (numbered) | 616,690(b) | 100% | Source: JPL's SBDB [1] |
Code | Group | Code | Group |
---|---|---|---|
#FFC2E0 | NEOs | #FA8072 | MCs |
#FEFEFE | MBA (inner) | #E9E9E9 | MBA (middle) |
#D6D6D6 | MBA (outer) | #C2FFFF | JTs |
#C7FF8F | Centaurs | #C2E0FF | TNOs |
#B88A00 | unclassified |
The orbital classification largely follows JPL's conventions (see definitions below), except for the boundary of inner/outer main-belt asteroids which are grouped by the two major Kirkwood gaps (a at 2.5 and 2.82 AU, instead of JPL's 2.0 and 3.2 AU). Also the Apollo, Amor, Aten, and Atira groups have no distinct color and are displayed with one color as NEOs. For outer main-belt asteroids, the criteria "q > 1.666 AU" has also been added.
{{
Infobox planet}}
: adjust the background color of the heading sections in {{Infobox planet}} to the above color scheme with |background=
. This allows for a basic distinction of NEOs, MBAs, Jupiter trojans, centaurs and TNOs at first glance. Since the background of the infobox itself already uses a light-grey background color, the heading sections should use #D6D6D6
for all main-belt object articles, irrespective whether they are inner, middle or outer belt asteroids.