{ "vercy": "1.0-draft", "publication": { "status": "research-draft", "adjudicationStatus": "unreviewed", "publishableCanonical": false, "generatedAt": "2026-09-11T13:55:32Z", "providers": [ "Claude" ], "breadth": "written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify", "pass": 2, "wave": 1, "engine": "claude", "enrichment": { "pass": 3, "engine": "claude", "producedAt": "2026-10-05T16:30:00Z", "ingestedAt": "2026-10-05T13:29:56+00:00", "fields": [ "agent_conduct", "ethics", "owners" ] } }, "metaModel": { "id": "THING-Q337768", "registryId": "vr.tr.inferior-and-superior-planets", "name": "inferior and superior planets", "version": "0.2.0-wave.1", "entryKind": "thing", "family": "Thing Registry", "domain": [ "PHY.SPC" ], "status": "research-draft" }, "canonicalUrl": "https://ver.cy/models/thing/q337768/", "model": { "registry_id": "vr.tr.inferior-and-superior-planets", "name": "inferior and superior planets", "purpose": "Let an agent explain inferior and superior planets and their observable consequences, such as phases, elongation, transits, oppositions and retrograde motion.", "definition": "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.", "what_it_is_for": "Planetary astronomy and observing.", "affordances": [ "classify a planet as inferior or superior", "explain phases and greatest elongation", "explain opposition and retrograde motion", "plan observations" ], "distinguishing_features": [ "Defined relative to Earth orbit", "Different viewing geometry", "Inferior planets show full phases", "Superior planets reach opposition" ], "appearance": "Planets in the sky near the Sun (inferior) or visible all night at opposition (superior).", "visual_identification": [ "Venus and Mercury near the Sun", "Mars and outer planets at opposition", "Inner and outer planets divide at the asteroid belt" ], "physical_properties": [], "families_and_kinds": [ "inferior planets", "superior planets" ], "related_models": [ { "relation": "is a kind of", "target": "planet classification", "why": "category" }, { "relation": "is contrasted with", "target": "inner and outer planets", "why": "related classification" }, { "relation": "includes", "target": "Venus", "why": "inferior example" }, { "relation": "includes", "target": "Mars", "why": "superior example" } ], "identifiers": [], "standards_and_regulation": [ "IAU planet definitions" ], "failure_modes_and_hazards": [ "Confusing with inner and outer planets", "Eye damage when observing near the Sun" ], "in_scope": [], "out_of_scope": [], "characteristics": [], "agent_conduct": { "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." ], "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." ], "requires_human": [ "Using the classification in teaching material as authoritative." ] }, "ethics": { "considerations": [ "Clear science teaching helps people tell astronomy from astrology." ], "affected_parties": [ "Students and teachers", "Amateur observers" ] }, "owners": { "steward": "Nobody owns the classification; the astronomical community uses it.", "master_systems": [] } }, "sources": [ { "id": "wikidata", "title": "Wikidata item Q337768: inferior and superior planets", "url": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337768", "url_status": "live", "what_it_supports": "identity and sense of the item", "checked_by": "wikidata-api" }, { "id": "wikipedia-en", "title": "Wikipedia: Inferior and superior planets", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferior_and_superior_planets", "url_status": "live", "what_it_supports": "general description of the item", "checked_by": "wikidata-api sitelink" } ], "structure": { "bundles": [ { "id": "classify", "name": "Classify", "description": "Which class.", "rationale": "Earth orbit divides them.", "layers": [ { "id": "which", "name": "Which", "description": "Classification.", "findings": [ { "id": "which-finding", "name": "Which", "description": "Classification.", "questions": [ { "text": "Is this planet inferior or superior?", "kind": "definition" }, { "text": "How does this differ from inner and outer planets?", "kind": "boundary" } ] } ] }, { "id": "history", "name": "History", "description": "Terminology.", "findings": [ { "id": "history-finding", "name": "History", "description": "Terminology.", "questions": [ { "text": "Where do the terms inferior and superior come from, according to historians of astronomy?", "kind": "provenance" }, { "text": "Are they still used?", "kind": "provenance" } ] } ] } ] }, { "id": "inferior", "name": "Inferior", "description": "Mercury and Venus.", "rationale": "Geometry shapes views.", "layers": [ { "id": "phases", "name": "Phases", "description": "Phases and elongation.", "findings": [ { "id": "phases-finding", "name": "Phases", "description": "Phases and elongation.", "questions": [ { "text": "Why do inferior planets show phases and never appear far from the Sun?", "kind": "definition" }, { "text": "When is the next greatest elongation?", "kind": "provenance" } ] } ] }, { "id": "transit", "name": "Transit", "description": "Transits.", "findings": [ { "id": "transit-finding", "name": "Transit", "description": "Transits.", "questions": [ { "text": "When is the next transit of Mercury or Venus?", "kind": "provenance" }, { "text": "How can it be observed safely?", "kind": "action" } ] } ] } ] }, { "id": "superior", "name": "Superior", "description": "Mars and beyond.", "rationale": "Oppositions give best views.", "layers": [ { "id": "opposition", "name": "Opposition", "description": "Opposition.", "findings": [ { "id": "opposition-finding", "name": "Opposition", "description": "Opposition.", "questions": [ { "text": "When is this planet next at opposition?", "kind": "provenance" }, { "text": "Why is it brightest then?", "kind": "definition" } ] } ] }, { "id": "retrograde", "name": "Retrograde", "description": "Apparent motion.", "findings": [ { "id": "retrograde-finding", "name": "Retrograde", "description": "Retrograde motion.", "questions": [ { "text": "Why do superior planets appear to move backwards for a while?", "kind": "definition" }, { "text": "Is this an illusion of viewpoint?", "kind": "boundary" } ] } ] } ] }, { "id": "observing", "name": "Observing", "description": "Practical viewing.", "rationale": "Safety near the Sun.", "layers": [ { "id": "safety", "name": "Safety", "description": "Sun safety.", "findings": [ { "id": "safety-finding", "name": "Safety", "description": "Sun safety.", "questions": [ { "text": "Is the planet close to the Sun in the sky right now?", "kind": "boundary" }, { "text": "How can it be observed without risking eye damage?", "kind": "action" } ] } ] }, { "id": "plan", "name": "Plan", "description": "Finding planets.", "findings": [ { "id": "plan-finding", "name": "Plan", "description": "Planning.", "questions": [ { "text": "Where and when can this planet be seen tonight, according to an almanac?", "kind": "provenance" }, { "text": "Which apps or ephemerides help?", "kind": "provenance" } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "openQuestions": [ "Should each class be a separate entry?", "How should ephemerides be linked?", "How should dwarf planets be treated?" ], "statistics": { "bundles": 4, "layers": 8, "findings": 8, "questions": 16 } }