The chart shows the positions selected minor planets at the instants of their oppositions in ecliptic longitude. All of these objects have relatively large inclinations and may stray far from the ecliptic (which is marked on the chart). For this reason, the dates of opposition (or conjunction) in right ascension may differ by several days from the dates listed below. Similarly, the date of greatest angular elongation from the Sun may also fail to coincide with the date of opposition in ecliptic longitude.
Only 4 Vesta has the potential to reach naked-eye visibility but the other large asteroids — 1 Ceres, 2 Pallas and 3 Juno — are visible in small- to medium-sized telescopes. The trans-Neptunian dwarf planets require large telescopes and detailed finder charts, and with the possible of exception of 134340 Pluto, are probably beyond the reach of amateur astronomers.
| Date | Minor Planet | Event | Apparent Magnitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 January | 2 Pallas | opposition in Canis Major | +7.7 |
| 18 January | 134340 Pluto | conjunction | |
| 21 March | 1 Ceres | opposition in Coma Berenices | +7.0 |
| 29 March | 136472 Makemake | opposition in Coma Berenices | +17.2 |
| 15 April | 136199 Eris | conjunction | |
| 20 April | 136108 Haumea | opposition in Boötes | +17.3 |
| 24 April | 4 Vesta | conjunction | |
| 20 June | 3 Juno | conjunction | |
| 22 July | 134340 Pluto | opposition in Sagittarius | +15.0 |
| 01 October | 2 Pallas | conjunction | |
| 02 October | 136472 Makemake | conjunction | |
| 19 October | 136199 Eris | opposition in Cetus | +18.7 |
| 24 October | 136108 Haumea | conjunction | |
| 20 November | 1 Ceres | conjunction | |
| 21 December | 4 Vesta | opposition in Orion | +6.2 |
