{"schema":"https://ver.cy/schemas/card/1.0.0","id":"vr.tr.pelorus","code":"thing-q2067564","url":"https://ver.cy/models/thing/q2067564/","name":"Pelorus","alternateNames":[],"kind":"thing","status":"published","version":"0.1.0-research.1","language":"en","classifiers":{"family":"Thing Registry","category":"Physical world and living systems","entryKind":"thing","plane":"PHY","domain":["PHY.OBJ"],"industry":[],"navPath":"","tags":[],"facets":{}},"whatItIs":"A pelorus is a nautical sighting instrument with a graduated horizontal circle used to measure an object's bearing relative to a vessel's heading or to an externally supplied directional reference.","purpose":"Enable an agent to recognise a pelorus, assess its readiness for sighting bearings, and determine which observations its alignment and reference frame support.","scope":{"in":["Graduated bearing card or circle, sighting vanes and fitted optical sight","Manual reference setting and alignment to the vessel's fore-and-aft direction","Mounting, levelling and gimbal arrangements where fitted","Bearing acquisition, reference labelling and observation quality","Pelorus-specific inspection, adjustment and operating limits"],"out":["Magnetic compasses and gyrocompasses as independent heading-producing instruments","Vessel manoeuvring, collision-avoidance decisions and navigation planning","Charted objects, chart production and position-fixing algorithms","Sextants, radar and instruments measuring range or altitude","Manufacturer product catalogues and individual asset lifecycle records","Places, vessels and organisations named Pelorus"],"boundaries":[]},"distinguishingFeatures":["A conventional pelorus has a graduated angular reference and a sighting arrangement but no independently north-seeking element; this separates it from a bearing compass. See [The Mariners' Museum](https://catalogs.marinersmuseum.org/object/CL26233).","Its sights select a target direction for a bearing reading; the presence of sighting vanes or a telescope is a recognition cue documented by the [Institute of Navigation](https://www.ion.org/museum/Pelorus.cfm).","A relative-bearing reading requires an established vessel reference; a compass-like appearance alone does not establish magnetic or true north.","A separate bearing-circle accessory requires another instrument or support to provide its reference; record whether the candidate is that accessory or a complete pelorus assembly.","The name alone is insufficient to exclude powered equipment: USS SLATER describes its centre-line gyro repeater as a pelorus, so heading-fed assemblies need explicit boundary review. See [USS SLATER](https://ussslater.org/pelorus)."],"structure":{"bundles":[{"id":"instrument-identity","name":"Instrument identity","description":"Establish what the registered name denotes and which bearing-producing assembly is being modelled.","layers":[{"id":"recognition-boundary","name":"Recognition boundary","description":"Identify the functional combination of angular scale, sight and reference.","findings":[{"id":"pelorus-assembly","name":"Pelorus assembly","description":"Record evidence that the object provides a sighted bearing against an established angular reference.","questions":[{"text":"Which components supply the graduated scale, target sight and reference index?","id":"pelorus-assembly-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Is this a complete pelorus, a bearing-circle accessory or a heading-producing compass?","id":"pelorus-assembly-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"terminology-evidence","name":"Terminology evidence","description":"Resolve local naming without silently widening the registered concept.","findings":[{"id":"name-and-variant","name":"Name and variant","description":"Keep the conventional passive instrument interpretation distinct from documented broader uses of the name.","questions":[{"text":"Which registry provenance, manual or collection record identifies this as a nautical pelorus?","id":"name-and-variant-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Does any heading-fed variant belong within this entry or require a relation to a separate compass model?","id":"name-and-variant-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"angular-reference","name":"Angular reference","description":"Describe how scale readings acquire a direction and reference frame.","layers":[{"id":"scale-and-zero","name":"Scale and zero","description":"Capture graduation conventions and the reference-setting mechanism.","findings":[{"id":"reading-convention","name":"Reading convention","description":"Record the actual scale and distinguish its resolution from demonstrated measurement accuracy.","questions":[{"text":"What angular range, numbering direction and smallest division does the scale show?","id":"reading-convention-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which index is read, and how is its zero related to the vessel's bow or another declared direction?","id":"reading-convention-q02","kind":"definition"}]}]},{"id":"heading-reference","name":"Heading reference","description":"Track any heading used to set the card or interpret the observation.","findings":[{"id":"bearing-conversion","name":"Bearing conversion","description":"Require explicit conventions, contemporaneous heading and correction status before deriving a true, magnetic or compass-referenced bearing.","questions":[{"text":"Which heading source and reference frame support this bearing, and when was that heading observed?","id":"bearing-conversion-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which angular convention and corrections must be applied before combining heading and relative bearing?","id":"bearing-conversion-q02","kind":"action"},{"text":"Was the card already heading-set, making another heading addition erroneous?","id":"bearing-conversion-q03","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"observing-station","name":"Observing station","description":"Represent the physical conditions that connect the pelorus to the vessel and visible targets.","layers":[{"id":"mount-and-alignment","name":"Mount and alignment","description":"Establish secure attachment and the relationship between instrument and vessel axes.","findings":[{"id":"station-reference","name":"Station reference","description":"Record alignment evidence for the actual mount rather than assuming every observing position shares the same zero.","questions":[{"text":"How is this mount aligned with the vessel's fore-and-aft direction, and what offset was measured?","id":"station-reference-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which alignment and retention checks are required after moving or reinstalling the pelorus?","id":"station-reference-q02","kind":"action"}]}]},{"id":"level-and-clearance","name":"Level and clearance","description":"Assess support motion and unobstructed target access.","findings":[{"id":"usable-observation-envelope","name":"Usable observation envelope","description":"Record levelling or gimbal provisions and the sectors where the installed sights can be used.","questions":[{"text":"Is levelling or a gimbal provided, and does it move without interference through its documented working range?","id":"usable-observation-envelope-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which bearing sectors are blocked by vessel structures or inaccessible observer positions?","id":"usable-observation-envelope-q02","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"When should the observer relocate or defer a sight because of vessel motion or obstruction?","id":"usable-observation-envelope-q03","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"bearing-observation","name":"Bearing observation","description":"Connect target selection and sighting to an interpretable observation record.","layers":[{"id":"target-and-sight","name":"Target and sight","description":"Define the exact visible feature and the means used to align with it.","findings":[{"id":"sighted-target","name":"Sighted target","description":"Separate target identification from the measured direction to a particular point on that target.","questions":[{"text":"Which identifiable point on the landmark or vessel is being sighted?","id":"sighted-target-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Can the observer align the fitted vanes or optics and read the scale without losing the target?","id":"sighted-target-q02","kind":"action"}]}]},{"id":"observation-record","name":"Observation record","description":"Preserve the information needed to interpret or compare readings.","findings":[{"id":"bearing-context","name":"Bearing context","description":"Associate each reading with its observing station, time, target and declared reference.","questions":[{"text":"What bearing was read, at what time, from which station and in which reference frame?","id":"bearing-context-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Did vessel heading or target alignment change between the sight and any supporting heading observation?","id":"bearing-context-q02","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What additional observations are needed before this bearing can support a position fix or motion assessment?","id":"bearing-context-q03","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"fitness-for-bearing","name":"Fitness for bearing","description":"Assess whether the pelorus can produce sufficiently dependable observations for a stated use.","layers":[{"id":"error-and-repeatability","name":"Error and repeatability","description":"Assess angular performance under documented conditions.","findings":[{"id":"bearing-quality","name":"Bearing quality","description":"Evaluate alignment bias, sighting repeatability and reference uncertainty without inventing a universal tolerance.","questions":[{"text":"What spread is observed when the same reference target is sighted repeatedly under controlled conditions?","id":"bearing-quality-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which uncertainty contributions arise from zero alignment, sight alignment, reading and any external heading?","id":"bearing-quality-q02","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What documented acceptance criterion applies to the intended bearing task?","id":"bearing-quality-q03","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"inspection-and-use-limits","name":"Inspection and use limits","description":"Link pelorus-specific defects and configuration requirements to permitted actions.","findings":[{"id":"serviceability-decision","name":"Serviceability decision","description":"Record sight damage, unreadable graduations, binding movement and failure to retain the selected reference as conditions requiring assessment.","questions":[{"text":"Are the sights intact, the scale legible and the rotating or clamping parts functioning as documented?","id":"serviceability-decision-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which manufacturer instructions govern cleaning, adjustment, storage and verification after repair?","id":"serviceability-decision-q02","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which defects require withholding bearings until alignment or serviceability is restored?","id":"serviceability-decision-q03","kind":"action"}]},{"id":"configuration-dependent-limits","name":"Configuration-dependent limits","description":"Verify powered features, specialised sighting provisions and applicable requirements for the actual variant.","questions":[{"text":"Does loss of electrical supply affect only illumination or also the angular reference?","id":"configuration-dependent-limits-q01","kind":"boundary"},{"text":"If solar observations are proposed, what manufacturer-approved sighting equipment and procedure permit them?","id":"configuration-dependent-limits-q02","kind":"action"},{"text":"Which issuing body, standard or approval document explicitly applies to this pelorus configuration and installation?","id":"configuration-dependent-limits-q03","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]},{"id":"evidence-and-external-alignment","name":"Evidence and external alignment","description":"What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.","layers":[{"id":"reported-evidence","name":"Reported evidence","description":"Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.","findings":[{"id":"evidence-confidence-notes","name":"Check these first","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these check these first hold for the sense of Pelorus this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-confidence-notes-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-kinds","name":"Kinds and varieties","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of Pelorus this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-kinds-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-real-world-use","name":"Real-world use","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of Pelorus this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-real-world-use-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-measurements","name":"Typical measurements","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of Pelorus this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-measurements-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards","name":"Failure modes and hazards","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of Pelorus this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-neighbours","name":"Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of Pelorus this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-neighbours-q01","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]}]},"agentConduct":{"may":["Take and record relative bearings with a pelorus for the vessel's navigator.","Check its alignment with the vessel's fore-and-aft line and report errors."],"mustNot":["Present bearings from a misaligned instrument as reliable.","Use bearings alone to make a collision-avoidance decision without other watch information.","Alter navigation logs to hide a bearing or a mistake."],"requiresHuman":["Changing course or speed on the basis of its readings."]},"ethics":{"considerations":["Wrong bearings at sea can lead to collision or grounding.","Watchkeepers rely on accurate records after incidents."],"affectedParties":["Crew and passengers","Other vessels"]},"owners":{"steward":"The vessel's master and the navigating officer.","roles":[],"masterSystems":[]},"relations":[{"target":"Q1780422","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"}],"interaction":{"identity":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vercy registry: vr.tr.pelorus","Wikidata: Q2067564 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2067564)"]},"properties":{"applicability":"required","items":["Angular graduation: Degrees per smallest marked division; record actual scale coverage and numbering","Bearing reference: Vessel-relative; manually heading-referenced; externally heading-fed; unknown","Reference alignment offset: Degrees, with signed convention, reference direction and uncertainty","Sighting arrangement: Open vanes; telescope; other documented arrangement","Mounting arrangement: Portable mount; fixed pedestal; other documented support; gimbal presence recorded separately","Usable sighting sectors: Angular intervals in degrees relative to the vessel, with obstruction descriptions","Bearing uncertainty: Degrees, with assessment method and operating conditions","Adjustment and retention condition: Movement free or binding; reference retained or slipping; sights aligned, damaged or unverified","Heading dependency: Linked heading source, reference frame, correction status and observation time; absent when unused","Power dependency: Passive measurement; illumination supply; heading-repeater supply where applicable"]},"recognition":{"applicability":"required","items":["A flat graduated circle on a stand with a sighting vane that pivots above it.","Mounted on a bridge wing or rail, without a magnetic needle."]},"capabilities":{"applicability":"required","items":["Assess whether an assembly meets the pelorus boundary and identify unresolved naming ambiguity.","Establish and verify its angular reference at an observing station.","Sight an identifiable target and record a bearing with its time and reference frame.","Combine a relative bearing with a compatible contemporaneous heading to derive a referenced bearing.","Compare repeated observations to assess repeatability and detect alignment drift.","Flag unsuitable bearings and identify inspection or adjustment needed before reuse."]},"hazards":{"applicability":"required","items":["Misalignment with the ship's heading gives systematically wrong bearings."]},"interfaces":{"applicability":"required","items":["ISO 25862, issued by the International Organization for Standardization, addresses marine magnetic compasses, binnacles and azimuth reading devices and is relevant when a pelorus serves as an azimuth reading device within that scope."]},"context":{"applicability":"required","items":["A pelorus is used aboard vessels to sight landmarks, other vessels and celestial objects against a graduated bearing circle.","It supports relative-bearing observations and can support referenced bearings when its alignment and external directional reference are established."]}},"sources":[{"title":"Wikidata item Q2067564: Pelorus","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2067564","note":"identity and sense of the item"},{"title":"Wikipedia: Pelorus (instrument)","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelorus_%28instrument%29","note":"general description of the item"}],"openQuestions":["Does the source registry explicitly identify vr.tr.pelorus as the nautical instrument, and does an existing Vercy world model already cover that concept?","Should the entry include assemblies called peloruses that incorporate gyro repeaters, or relate those assemblies to a narrower passive-instrument model?","Which manufacturer manuals establish representative graduation intervals, dimensions, mounting interfaces and accuracy specifications without treating one product as universal?","Which current standards or maritime approval requirements explicitly cover standalone peloruses rather than magnetic compasses, gyrocompasses or bearing accessories?","Which variants support celestial sighting, and what documented accessories, operating limits and verification procedures apply?"],"resources":{"spec":"/models/things/publications/thing-q2067564/spec.json"},"provenance":{"origin":"thing registry research (pass 2)","builtFrom":["models/things/publications/thing-q2067564/spec.json"],"providers":["Codex"],"researchStatus":"unreviewed","generatedAt":"2026-09-12T11:58:23Z","builder":"tools/build_cards.py@1.0.0"},"completeness":{"sections":{"classifiers":"filled","whatItIs":"filled","purpose":"filled","distinguishingFeatures":"filled","structure":"filled","agentConduct":"filled","ethics":"filled","owners":"filled","relations":"filled","interaction.identity":"filled","interaction.properties":"filled","interaction.recognition":"filled","interaction.capabilities":"filled","interaction.hazards":"filled","interaction.interfaces":"filled","interaction.context":"filled","sources":"filled"},"notes":{"_gate":"Published through the thing publication gate 1.0 on 2026-10-07T10:10:28+00:00: completeness 1.00; sense: Wikidata description; 2 live sources; review by codex: pass"},"score":1.0}}