NEAT Object Naming System
Each object detected with NEAT is assigned a unique name. This NEAT
temporary name is 6 alphanumeric characters long. The following
explanation by Dr. Steven Levin, the originator of the system, describes how
the unpronounceable NEAT names are assigned:
The idea here is to construct a unique number based on the time and asteroid number, and translate it to a
6-character name. Thus I use base 36 (26 letters + 10 digits). The largest number I can use is therefore
366-1 = 2176782335.
ntime = (year1-1995)*12*31*24*60*60
ntime = ntime + (month1-1)*31*24*60*60
ntime = ntime + (day1-1)*24*60*60
ntime = ntime + hr1*60*60
ntime = ntime + min1*60 + sec1
At this point, the largest number I could get in 10 years is 10*12*31*24*60*60=321480000, leaving me a factor
of 6.77 to work with. Thus I multiply by 7 before adding the object number, which allows the maximum number
of objects before overwriting the next exposure. If the exposures come every 10 seconds, I'm allowed 70
objects per exposure.
This temporary name is replaced about 50% of the time by a previously
established designation when the NEAT detection is linked with a known
asteroid or comet. When NEAT recovers an object on a least one other night,
and the object is not previously known, then a new preliminary designation is
given to the object by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Minor
Planet Center. These preliminary designations are of the form: YEAR
LETTER LETTER NUMBER, e.g. 1997 WB21, where the letters range in
discovery order from AA in January to ZZ in December, and the numbers
are also assigned in order of discovery.
When an object is recovered over about 3 apparitions (during 3 orbits) it a
assigned a permanent designation, a number ordered consecutively from 1,
the asteroid Ceres discovered on January 1, 1801, to more than 8000 as of
1997. The discoverer of the asteroid is also allowed to suggest a name to
accompany the number, a name that is finally approved by the International
Astronomical Union. In many cases the discoverer chooses the name to honor
a colleague, contributor, celebrity, or otherwise deserving person, place, or
thing. Thus for example, the name Pravdo, accompanies asteroid number
6560.