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Research draft

inferior and superior planets

vr.tr.inferior-and-superior-planets · thing-q337768

Let an agent explain inferior and superior planets and their observable consequences, such as phases, elongation, transits, oppositions and retrograde motion.

Thing Registry Physical world and living systems PHY.SPC

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.

Researched by: Claude

Bundle → Layer → Finding → QuestionsClassifiersWhat it isWhy it existsDistinguishing featuresWhat robots and AI may and may not doMoral aspectsOwnersLinks to other meta-modelsIdentity and identifiersDirect propertiesRecognitionCapabilities and actionsHazards and failure modesStandards and interfacesContext of useSources

Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled

4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions

Classify Which class.

Which

Classification.

Which

Classification.

  1. Is this planet inferior or superior? definition
  2. How does this differ from inner and outer planets? boundary

History

Terminology.

History

Terminology.

  1. Where do the terms inferior and superior come from, according to historians of astronomy? provenance
  2. Are they still used? provenance
Inferior Mercury and Venus.

Phases

Phases and elongation.

Phases

Phases and elongation.

  1. Why do inferior planets show phases and never appear far from the Sun? definition
  2. When is the next greatest elongation? provenance

Transit

Transits.

Transit

Transits.

  1. When is the next transit of Mercury or Venus? provenance
  2. How can it be observed safely? action
Superior Mars and beyond.

Opposition

Opposition.

Opposition

Opposition.

  1. When is this planet next at opposition? provenance
  2. Why is it brightest then? definition

Retrograde

Apparent motion.

Retrograde

Retrograde motion.

  1. Why do superior planets appear to move backwards for a while? definition
  2. Is this an illusion of viewpoint? boundary
Observing Practical viewing.

Safety

Sun safety.

Safety

Sun safety.

  1. Is the planet close to the Sun in the sky right now? boundary
  2. How can it be observed without risking eye damage? action

Plan

Finding planets.

Plan

Planning.

  1. Where and when can this planet be seen tonight, according to an almanac? provenance
  2. Which apps or ephemerides help? provenance

Classifiers Filled

Family
Thing Registry
Category
Physical world and living systems
Entry kind
thing
Plane
PHY
Domain
PHY.SPC

What it is Filled

A classification of planets relative to Earth orbit: inferior planets, Mercury and Venus, orbit closer to the Sun than Earth, while superior planets, from Mars outward, orbit farther away; the terms differ from inner and outer planets, which are divided by the asteroid belt.

Why it exists Filled

Let an agent explain inferior and superior planets and their observable consequences, such as phases, elongation, transits, oppositions and retrograde motion.

Distinguishing features Filled

  • Defined relative to Earth orbit
  • Different viewing geometry
  • Inferior planets show full phases
  • Superior planets reach opposition

What robots and AI may and may not do Filled

Must not

  • Confuse inferior and superior with inner and outer planets.
  • Present the terms as judgements of the planets' quality.
  • Present astrological claims about the planets as astronomy.

Only with a human decision

  • Using the classification in teaching material as authoritative.

May

  • Classify planets as inferior or superior and explain the difference from inner and outer planets.
  • Explain the visibility and phases that follow from the classification.

Moral aspects Filled

  • Clear science teaching helps people tell astronomy from astrology.

Who is affected

  • Students and teachers
  • Amateur observers

Owners Filled

Steward

Nobody owns the classification; the astronomical community uses it.

Links to other meta-models Filled

parent

  • Q13205267 - registry parent class

related

  • planet classification - category
  • inner and outer planets - related classification
  • Venus - inferior example
  • Mars - superior example

What else AI and robots need to interact with it Incomplete

Identity and identifiers required Filled

  • Vercy registry: vr.tr.inferior-and-superior-planets
  • Wikidata: Q337768 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337768)

Direct properties required Missing, in the backlog

Not described yet. This gap is in the card backlog.

Recognition required Filled

  • Venus and Mercury near the Sun
  • Mars and outer planets at opposition
  • Inner and outer planets divide at the asteroid belt
  • Planets in the sky near the Sun (inferior) or visible all night at opposition (superior).

Capabilities and actions required Filled

  • classify a planet as inferior or superior
  • explain phases and greatest elongation
  • explain opposition and retrograde motion
  • plan observations

Hazards and failure modes required Filled

  • Confusing with inner and outer planets
  • Eye damage when observing near the Sun

Standards and interfaces required Filled

  • IAU planet definitions

Context of use required Filled

  • Planetary astronomy and observing.
  • inferior planets
  • superior planets

Sources Filled

  1. Wikidata item Q337768: inferior and superior planets - identity and sense of the item
  2. Wikipedia: Inferior and superior planets - general description of the item

Open questions

  • Should each class be a separate entry?
  • How should ephemerides be linked?
  • How should dwarf planets be treated?

Machine files

Card as JSON Specification Card backlog vercy.card/1

Provenance

thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed

Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q337768/spec.json