conjunction
Let an agent handle conjunctions by bodies, date, separation and visibility, and separate astronomy from astrological claims.
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 conjunctions by bodies, date, separation and visibility, and separate astronomy from astrological claims.
In astronomy, the apparent close approach of two celestial bodies in the sky as seen from Earth, or the alignment of a planet with the Sun (inferior or superior conjunction).
What it is for: Observing and predicting sky events.
It can be predict it with ephemerides; observe it; photograph it; explain it.
Distinguishing features
Apparent alignment, not physical closeness
Geocentric versus heliocentric definitions
Some are not observable
Astrological meanings are not scientific
What it looks like
Two bright objects close together in the sky; some are invisible because they occur near the Sun.
Physical character
angular separation: from seconds of arc to a few degrees angle
How it is recognised
Two objects close in the sky
Named events such as the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
Inferior and superior conjunctions relative to the Sun
Related models
is a kind of - event
involves - bodies
is confused with - a homonym
is predicted by - data
In practice
Families and kinds
planetary conjunctions
great conjunctions
triple conjunctions
inferior and superior conjunctions
Moon-planet conjunctions
Standards and regulation
IAU definitions
Failure modes and hazards
Astrological claims presented as science
Observing near the Sun without eye protection
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.conjunction
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Event Which conjunction.
Bodies and date define it.
Bodies
Objects involved.
Bodies
Bodies.
- Which bodies are in conjunction? definition
- Geocentric or heliocentric? definition
Timing
Date and time.
Timing
Timing.
- When does it occur, in UTC? measurement
- From which ephemeris? provenance
Observation Seeing it.
Visibility depends on location.
Visibility
Where and when.
Visibility
Visibility.
- Is it visible from a given place, and when? action
- How close will they appear? measurement
Safety
Near the Sun.
Safety
Eye safety.
- Is the event close to the Sun? boundary
- What eye protection is needed? action
Explanation Why it happens.
Explain orbital geometry.
Geometry
Orbits and line of sight.
Geometry
Explanation.
- Why do the bodies appear close? definition
- How far apart are they really? measurement
Frequency
How often.
Frequency
Recurrence.
- How often does this conjunction recur? measurement
- When is the next one? measurement
Communication Science vs astrology.
Accuracy matters.
Science
Established facts.
Science
Scientific description.
- Is the description scientifically accurate? boundary
- Are astrological claims labelled as such? boundary
Hype
Exaggeration.
Hype
Exaggerated claims.
- Are claims about rarity or brightness exaggerated? boundary
- Which source is reliable? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- Should conjunction types be separate entries?
- How should events be linked to dates?
- How should the grammatical sense be split off?