Uncertainty parameter

For the quantification of uncertainty in general, see Measurement uncertainty.
The orbits of kilometre class NEAs are generally well known, though a few have been lost. However, large numbers of smaller NEAs have highly uncertain orbits.[1]

The uncertainty parameter U is introduced by the Minor Planet Center (MPC) to quantify the uncertainty of a perturbed orbital solution for a minor planet.[2][3] The parameter is a logarithmic scale from 0 to 9 that measures the anticipated longitudinal uncertainty[4] in the minor planet's mean anomaly after 10 years.[2][3][5] The larger the number, the larger the uncertainty. The uncertainty parameter is also known as condition code in JPL's Small-Body Database Browser.[3][5][6] The U value should not be used as a predictor for the uncertainty in the future motion of near-Earth objects.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference MPC-NEA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference MPC-Uncertainty was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference User-Guide was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference MPC-24597 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Strategic-Implications was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference conditioncode was invoked but never defined (see the help page).