quasi-satellite
Let an agent describe quasi-satellites by orbit, stability, examples and missions, clarifying that they are not true moons.
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 describe quasi-satellites by orbit, stability, examples and missions, clarifying that they are not true moons.
A co-orbital object that shares a planet orbital period and appears, from the planet viewpoint, to circle it over a year, though it actually orbits the Sun; Earth quasi-satellites include 469219 Kamooalewa.
What it is for: Understanding co-orbital dynamics and near-Earth objects.
It can be explain quasi-satellite orbits; distinguish them from moons and horseshoe orbits; find known examples; follow mission plans to visit them.
Distinguishing features
Co-orbital with a planet
Not a true moon
Temporary configurations
Some are mission targets
What it looks like
Faint small bodies seen through telescopes.
How it is recognised
Same orbital period as the planet
Apparent retrograde loop around the planet
Natural moons are gravitationally bound to the planet
Related models
is a kind of - category
is contrasted with - moon
orbits - primary
is related to - population
In practice
Families and kinds
Earth quasi-satellites
quasi-satellites of other planets
related co-orbitals such as horseshoe and trojan objects
Identifiers
MPC designation numbered minor planet catalogue
Standards and regulation
IAU minor planet nomenclature
Failure modes and hazards
Calling quasi-satellites second moons
Overstating stability
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.
Dynamics Orbit.
Orbits can confuse.
Orbit
Co-orbital motion.
Orbit
Quasi-satellite orbit.
- Why does a quasi-satellite appear to orbit the planet? definition
- How long will the configuration last, according to studies? measurement
Versus moons
Distinction.
Versus moons
Not a moon.
- Is it being wrongly described as a moon? boundary
- How does it differ from a temporary captured moon? definition
Examples Known objects.
Examples need sources.
Known
Catalogue.
Known
Known quasi-satellites.
- Which quasi-satellites of Earth are known? provenance
- When were they discovered? provenance
Origin
Where from.
Origin
Origin.
- What is known about their origin, such as lunar ejecta hypotheses? provenance
- How certain is it? boundary
Missions Exploration.
Missions may visit.
Plans
Missions.
Plans
Mission plans.
- Which missions plan to visit a quasi-satellite? provenance
- What is their status? provenance
Observing
Telescopes.
Observing
Observation.
- Can the object be observed, and when? provenance
- Which telescopes are needed? definition
Teaching Explaining.
Visuals help.
Explain
Simple terms.
Explain
Explanation.
- How can the quasi-satellite motion be explained with a diagram? action
- Which frame of reference helps? definition
Media
Headlines.
Media
Media claims.
- Is a headline about a new moon accurate? boundary
- What do astronomers say? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- Should co-orbital types be separate entries?
- How should orbit simulations be linked?
- How should mission data be linked?