gamma
Let an agent explain eclipse gamma, interpret its magnitude and sign using the conventions of a cited eclipse catalogue, and distinguish it from magnetic-field units, gamma radiation, the gamma function and display gamma.
Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled
4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions
Define Definition.
Definition
Definition and value.
Definition
Definition.
- What is the gamma as a unit, and how does it relate to the tesla and gauss? definition
- Is the question about the magnetic unit, the microgram or another use of gamma? boundary
Conversion
Conversion.
Conversion
Conversion.
- How are gammas converted to nanoteslas and gauss? measurement
- Which entry fits tesla? action
Use Use in geophysics.
Geomagnetism
Geomagnetism.
Geomagnetism
Geomagnetism.
- How is the gamma used in geomagnetic observatories and space physics? provenance
- Which entry fits geomagnetic field? action
Surveys
Magnetic surveys.
Surveys
Surveys.
- How are magnetic anomaly surveys reported in gammas or nanoteslas? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Context History and SI.
History
History.
History
History.
- When was the gamma introduced, and why is it still used informally? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
SI
SI recommendation.
SI
SI.
- What does the SI recommend, and how do journals treat the gamma? provenance
- Which entry fits non-SI units? action
Senses Other senses.
Mass
Gamma as microgram.
Mass
Mass.
- How was gamma used for the microgram, and where does it persist? provenance
- Which entry fits microgram? action
Symbols
Gamma in physics.
Symbols
Symbols.
- What other quantities does the symbol gamma denote in physics? provenance
- Which entry fits the specific quantity? action
Classifiers Filled
- Family
- Thing Registry
- Category
- Cross-cutting context
- Entry kind
- thing
- Plane
- XCT
- Domain
- XCT.QTY
What it is Filled
A dimensionless eclipse parameter describing centrality at greatest eclipse, expressed in Earth's equatorial radii: for a solar eclipse, it measures the minimum distance between the Moon's shadow axis and Earth's centre; for a lunar eclipse, it measures the minimum distance between the Moon's centre and Earth's shadow axis, with a sign assigned according to the eclipse catalogue's convention.
Why it exists Filled
Let an agent explain eclipse gamma, interpret its magnitude and sign using the conventions of a cited eclipse catalogue, and distinguish it from magnetic-field units, gamma radiation, the gamma function and display gamma.
Distinguishing features Filled
- Gamma describes the centrality of an eclipse through shadow geometry.
- Its magnitude expresses a distance in Earth's equatorial radii.
- Its sign distinguishes the side on which the Moon's shadow axis passes relative to Earth's centre for solar eclipses, or the Moon's centre passes relative to Earth's shadow axis for lunar eclipses, under the catalogue's convention.
- Solar and lunar eclipse interpretations require their respective shadow geometries.
What robots and AI may and may not do Filled
Must not
- Confuse eclipse gamma with magnetic-field units, gamma radiation, the gamma function or display gamma.
- Treat gamma alone as sufficient to determine local eclipse visibility.
- Use gamma alone to claim that viewing the Sun is safe.
Only with a human decision
- Announcing new eclipse calculations on behalf of a research team.
May
- Explain eclipse gamma and its relationship to shadow centrality.
- Report gamma values from astronomical catalogues with the eclipse type and sign convention identified.
Moral aspects Filled
- Clear definitions and conventions prevent misleading eclipse information.
- Public eclipse information should distinguish geometric predictions from viewing safety.
Who is affected
- Astronomers use gamma in eclipse analysis.
- Educators and the public rely on accurate eclipse explanations.
Owners Filled
Steward
Nobody owns the parameter; astronomical catalogue maintainers document its values and conventions.
Master systems
- Astronomical eclipse catalogues record gamma values.
Links to other meta-models Filled
parent
- Q107715 - registry parent class
related
- physical quantity - in registry terms, as a unit
- nanotesla - exactly
- magnetic survey - and geomagnetism
- gauss - the CGS unit
What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled
Identity and identifiers required Filled
- Vercy registry: vr.tr.gamma
- Wikidata: Q827951 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q827951)
- symbol: gamma Greek letter
Direct properties not applicable Not applicable
- value: 1 nT
- Earth surface field: about 25000-65000 gamma
Plane XCT: no invented physical properties.
Recognition optional Filled
- Eclipse catalogues may label this parameter as gamma.
- Solar eclipse diagrams can show the Moon's shadow axis and its closest approach to Earth's centre, while lunar eclipse diagrams can show the Moon's centre and its closest approach to Earth's shadow axis.
- The parameter is a numerical description of geometry rather than a directly visible feature.
- Not a visible object; a unit symbol in survey data.
Capabilities and actions required Filled
- define the unit
- relay uses in geophysics
- note other senses
- route to SI units
Hazards and failure modes required Filled
- Confusing eclipse gamma with other meanings of gamma gives incorrect interpretations.
- Treating gamma as a magnetic-field measurement assigns the wrong physical meaning.
- Ignoring sign conventions or eclipse type can misrepresent shadow geometry.
- Gamma alone does not establish local visibility or safe viewing conditions.
Standards and interfaces required Filled
- SI Brochure recommending tesla and nanotesla
- Geophysical survey reporting conventions
Context of use required Filled
- Expressing small magnetic field values.
- gamma as magnetic flux density unit
- gamma as microgram in older chemistry
- gamma as other symbols in physics such as the Lorentz factor, a separate sense
Sources Filled
- Wikidata item Q827951: gamma - identity and sense of the item
- Wikipedia: Gamma (eclipse) - general description of the item
Open questions
- Should the microgram sense be a separate entry?
- How should geophysical conventions be linked?
- How should the Greek letter symbol be recorded?
Machine files
Provenance
thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed
Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q827951/spec.json