These plots show the historical growth in known populations of some solar system objects (note that the scale is logarithmic):

• all MPs = all minor planets (asteroids plus trans-Neptunian objects, Centaurs, etc.)
• num MPs = permanently numbered minor planets
• NEAs = near-Earth asteroids (both those with permanent and those with temporary designations)
• planet sats = planetary satellites (both those with permanent and those with temporary designations)
• TNOs/Cent = outer solar system bodies (trans-Neptunian objects, Centaurs, and scattered disk objects)
• num TNOs/Cent = outer solar system bodies with permanent numbers
• MP sats = minor planet satellites (satellites of asteroids, TNOs, etc.)
• all comets = all catalogued comets
• num comets = periodic comets with permanent numbers

More details on the current totals are given at Known populations of solar system objects.

© 2007, 2010 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 5 May 2010.
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