Introduction:
   This tabulation of minor planet discovery data was originally
   prepared in machine-readable form for NSSDC for the first 3774
   numbered minor planets. This version has been updated by the author
   to include subsequently numbered planets.

   The author first listed the references only on 1988 Feb 2 with the
   publication of MPC 12781. Previously this table had been maintained
   without references to the original literature. Adding references
   from earlier publications remains a task for the future (if ever).
   Would anyone else like to contribute to this important assignment?

   The discovery date is in local mean time prior to 1925 January 1,
   and in UT thereafter, and refers to the time of mid-exposure for
   planets discovered by photographic means. In may cases, the
   permanent number was assigned only when several unnumbered planets
   observed in different years were found to be identical, often many
   years after the discovery photographs were made. In these cases,
   the discovery date is the first of that series of photographic
   observations from which the preliminary orbit was computed, and the
   provisional designation is that associated with this particular set
   of observations. Often earlier observations exist, but they are
   considered prediscoveries. In some cases the discovery and
   subsequent observations permitted images to be found on photographs
   obtained at the same observatory earlier in the discovery
   apparition; these earlier observations are considered
   prediscoveries.

   The following literature has been examined comprehensively to
   determine the discovery data:
   Stracke, G., Identifizierungsnachweis der Kleinen Planeten (Berlin,
     1938);
   Herget, P., Names of Minor Planets (University of Cincinnati
     Observatory, 1957, 1967);
   Astronomische Nachrichten;
   Astronomische Nachrichten Indices;
   Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society;
   Rechen-Institute Circulars;
   Beobachtungs Zircular;
   Lick Research Surveys on Minor Planets;
   Turku Informo.

History:
   The new files were received at the ADC from Dr. Pilcher in late 1994 on 
   a floppy disc in three sections with the notes included with the third 
   section.  The notes were split off into a separate file and the remaining
   portions of the files were concatenated onto the records for the first
   1815 objects.

Acknowledgments:
   The author (Pilcher) wishes to thank the following people for
   valuable contributions to this work. B. G. Marsden has arduously
   searched the literature, resolved various errors and discrepancies;
   andhas passed judgment on conflicting discovery claims. J. Meeus
   and M. Combes have prepared an earlier list of discovery data from
   which the present list was adapted and expanded, and K. Kelly has
   proofread the material, and provided continuing advice and counsel.

History:
   The new files were received at the ADC from Dr. Pilcher in late 1994 on 
   a floppy disc in three sections with the notes included with the third 
   section.  The notes were split off into a separate file and the remaining
   portions of the files were concatenated onto the records for the first
   1815 objects.