On this page about Provisional designation in astronomy:
Provisional designation in astronomy is the naming convention applied to astronomical objects immediately following their discovery. The provisional designation is usually superseded by a permanent designation once a reliable orbit has been calculated. In the case of asteroids, so many have been discovered that many will never be named by their discoverers.
How to say "Provisional designation in astronomy" in other languages:
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(German) | Benennung von Asteroiden und Kometen |
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(French) | Désignation provisoire |
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(Italian) | Designazione provvisoria |