minor planet
Let an agent handle minor planets by designation, number, orbit group and physical data, using Minor Planet Center conventions.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent handle minor planets by designation, number, orbit group and physical data, using Minor Planet Center conventions.
An astronomical object in direct orbit around the Sun that is neither a planet nor a comet, formally catalogued by the Minor Planet Center, including asteroids, dwarf planets and trans-Neptunian objects.
What it is for: Cataloguing the many small bodies of the Solar System.
It can be discover and designate it; number and name it; track its orbit; classify it by group.
Distinguishing features
Catalogued by the Minor Planet Center
Includes dwarf planets
Excludes comets by definition
Numbers are assigned after orbits are secure
What it looks like
Points of light moving against the stars.
How it is recognised
Numbered designations with names
Provisional designations such as 2020 MK4
Groups such as cis-Neptunian objects
Related models
is a kind of - classification
has kind - groups
is confused with - excluded
is catalogued by - authority
In practice
Families and kinds
main-belt asteroids
near-Earth objects
trojans
trans-Neptunian objects
dwarf planets
Identifiers
MPC number numeric in parentheses numbered minor planets
provisional designation year plus letters and digits new discoveries
Standards and regulation
IAU and MPC designation rules
Failure modes and hazards
Confusing provisional and permanent designations
Misstating impact risk
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.minor-planet
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Designation Name and number.
Designations change over time.
Number and name
Permanent.
Permanent designation
Number and name.
- What is its MPC number and name? provenance
- Who named it? provenance
Provisional
Before numbering.
Provisional
Provisional designation.
- What was its provisional designation? provenance
- When was it numbered? provenance
Orbit Group and path.
Orbit determines group.
Group
Orbital group.
Group
Group membership.
- Which orbital group does it belong to? definition
- How secure is the orbit? measurement
Approaches
To Earth.
Approaches
Close approaches.
- Does it come close to Earth? measurement
- What is its risk rating? provenance
Physical Size and type.
Physical data are often estimates.
Size
Diameter.
Size
Size estimate.
- How large is it? measurement
- How was it estimated? provenance
Type
Spectral type.
Type
Spectral type.
- What is its spectral type? definition
- What does that suggest about composition? definition
Status Classification changes.
Classifications can change.
Dwarf planet
Status.
Dwarf status
Dwarf planet status.
- Is it recognised as a dwarf planet? provenance
- Is it a candidate? boundary
Comet activity
Reclassification.
Activity
Signs of activity.
- Has it shown cometary activity? provenance
- Was it reclassified? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- Should minor planets be instances with MPC ids?
- How should designation changes be tracked?
- How should dwarf planets be linked?