At present, small bodies of the Solar system are not explicitly represented by a Commission under IAU Division F. This new commission would have the responsibility for promoting scientific progress and research achievements in the study of asteroids, comets, transneptunian objects (TNOs), interstellar objects, and dwarf planets in our solar system and their relationships to other astronomical domains.
The commission will:
- promote progress in the determination of physical and chemical properties of small Solar system bodies, their interrelations, and evolutionary paths;
- support the merging of observational, experimental, and theoretical approaches to provide a better understanding of the formation and evolution of our Solar system;
- organize meetings and forums, and support IAU Symposia, encouraging suitable data standards for small bodies;
- provide various services to the community, including scientific reports;
- highlight scientific progress to the larger public audience concerning the spectacular results of space missions to small bodies;
- encourage and promote the IAU public outreach activities related to small bodies.