trans-Neptunian object
Let an agent handle trans-Neptunian objects by dynamical class, designation, size and discovery, and mark uncertain dwarf planet status.
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 trans-Neptunian objects by dynamical class, designation, size and discovery, and mark uncertain dwarf planet status.
Any minor planet orbiting the Sun at a greater average distance than Neptune (30 AU), including Kuiper belt objects, scattered disc objects, detached objects and sednoids.
What it is for: TNOs record the outer Solar System history and constrain theories such as a distant undiscovered planet.
It can be discover and track it; classify its orbit; estimate its size and composition; visit it, as New Horizons did.
Distinguishing features
Beyond Neptune
Dynamical classes by orbit
Some are dwarf planets
Extreme TNOs inform outer Solar System models
What it looks like
Very faint points of light; Pluto and Arrokoth have been imaged up close.
Physical character
semi-major axis: over 30 AU - by definition
diameter: tens to over 2300 km - Pluto and Eris are largest
How it is recognised
Slow motion against stars
Designations such as 38628 Huya or 2013 RG158
Classes such as sednoids and detached objects
Related models
is a kind of - class
includes - Pluto, Eris
orbits - the Sun
is studied by - field
In practice
Families and kinds
classical Kuiper belt objects
resonant objects such as plutinos
scattered disc objects
detached objects and sednoids
extreme TNOs
Identifiers
MPC designation number and name minor planets
Standards and regulation
IAU naming rules for TNOs
Failure modes and hazards
Overstated claims about an undiscovered planet
Uncertain sizes presented as exact
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Identity Which object.
Designations identify TNOs.
Designation
Number and name.
Designation
Designation.
- What is its designation and name? provenance
- When was it discovered? provenance
Class
Dynamical class.
Class
Dynamical class.
- Which dynamical class does it belong to? definition
- What resonance, if any? definition
Orbit Distance and shape.
Orbits define TNOs.
Elements
Semi-major axis, eccentricity.
Orbit
Orbital elements.
- What are its orbital elements? measurement
- How well constrained are they? measurement
Dynamics
Clustering and theories.
Dynamics
Theoretical significance.
- Does its orbit inform theories of an undiscovered planet? boundary
- What is the evidence? provenance
Physical Size and surface.
Physical data are hard to get.
Size
Diameter.
Size
Size estimate.
- How large is it, by which method? measurement
- Is it a dwarf planet candidate? boundary
Surface
Composition.
Surface
Surface composition.
- What is its surface made of? measurement
- Does it have moons? provenance
Exploration Observations and missions.
Few TNOs are studied closely.
Observation
Telescopes.
Observation
Observations.
- Which telescopes observed it? provenance
- Are occultations planned? provenance
Missions
Flybys.
Missions
Mission data.
- Has a spacecraft visited it? provenance
- What was learned? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- Should dynamical classes be separate entries?
- How should candidate dwarf planets be marked?
- The registry entry lists specific objects as aliases; should they link as instances?