Existence of a celestial body big enough for early civilization to be thought of as a second moon
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Is there a possible scenario in which once a year a celestial body can be seen from the surface of the Earth-like planet for a short period of time?
- With it being big enough for early civilization to consider it a second moon but much smaller than the actual one.
- And occurring each year for one thousand years.
I thought two moons questions are similar enough, but I haven't found a proper answer for myself.
Thank you!
space earth-like
New contributor
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show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
Is there a possible scenario in which once a year a celestial body can be seen from the surface of the Earth-like planet for a short period of time?
- With it being big enough for early civilization to consider it a second moon but much smaller than the actual one.
- And occurring each year for one thousand years.
I thought two moons questions are similar enough, but I haven't found a proper answer for myself.
Thank you!
space earth-like
New contributor
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Humans considered all celestial bodies to be going around the Earth until a chap named Copernicus (and some of his contemporaries) suggested otherwise. I doubt the size would make a difference or periodicity.
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– StephenG
4 hours ago
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Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. What do you mean by "occurring for 1,000 years"? Do you mean the moon is in the sky, visible and basically the same size, for a 1,000 year period, or that the inhabitants see it once every 1,000 years, like a comet?
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– JBH
3 hours ago
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@StephenG true, but not all of them were considered moons.
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– shootshi
3 hours ago
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@JBH thank you :) No, no, I want it to be much smaller to lessen the impact on the system. But what I mean is the ideal scenario for it to be visible once a year, each year, for 1,000 years.
$endgroup$
– shootshi
3 hours ago
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Thanks, please edit your question with the clarification. Never depend on people reading through the comments to find clarifications. Cheers!
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
Is there a possible scenario in which once a year a celestial body can be seen from the surface of the Earth-like planet for a short period of time?
- With it being big enough for early civilization to consider it a second moon but much smaller than the actual one.
- And occurring each year for one thousand years.
I thought two moons questions are similar enough, but I haven't found a proper answer for myself.
Thank you!
space earth-like
New contributor
$endgroup$
Is there a possible scenario in which once a year a celestial body can be seen from the surface of the Earth-like planet for a short period of time?
- With it being big enough for early civilization to consider it a second moon but much smaller than the actual one.
- And occurring each year for one thousand years.
I thought two moons questions are similar enough, but I haven't found a proper answer for myself.
Thank you!
space earth-like
space earth-like
New contributor
New contributor
edited 1 hour ago
Willk
113k27211472
113k27211472
New contributor
asked 4 hours ago
shootshishootshi
283
283
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Humans considered all celestial bodies to be going around the Earth until a chap named Copernicus (and some of his contemporaries) suggested otherwise. I doubt the size would make a difference or periodicity.
$endgroup$
– StephenG
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. What do you mean by "occurring for 1,000 years"? Do you mean the moon is in the sky, visible and basically the same size, for a 1,000 year period, or that the inhabitants see it once every 1,000 years, like a comet?
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@StephenG true, but not all of them were considered moons.
$endgroup$
– shootshi
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@JBH thank you :) No, no, I want it to be much smaller to lessen the impact on the system. But what I mean is the ideal scenario for it to be visible once a year, each year, for 1,000 years.
$endgroup$
– shootshi
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thanks, please edit your question with the clarification. Never depend on people reading through the comments to find clarifications. Cheers!
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
Humans considered all celestial bodies to be going around the Earth until a chap named Copernicus (and some of his contemporaries) suggested otherwise. I doubt the size would make a difference or periodicity.
$endgroup$
– StephenG
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. What do you mean by "occurring for 1,000 years"? Do you mean the moon is in the sky, visible and basically the same size, for a 1,000 year period, or that the inhabitants see it once every 1,000 years, like a comet?
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@StephenG true, but not all of them were considered moons.
$endgroup$
– shootshi
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@JBH thank you :) No, no, I want it to be much smaller to lessen the impact on the system. But what I mean is the ideal scenario for it to be visible once a year, each year, for 1,000 years.
$endgroup$
– shootshi
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thanks, please edit your question with the clarification. Never depend on people reading through the comments to find clarifications. Cheers!
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Humans considered all celestial bodies to be going around the Earth until a chap named Copernicus (and some of his contemporaries) suggested otherwise. I doubt the size would make a difference or periodicity.
$endgroup$
– StephenG
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Humans considered all celestial bodies to be going around the Earth until a chap named Copernicus (and some of his contemporaries) suggested otherwise. I doubt the size would make a difference or periodicity.
$endgroup$
– StephenG
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. What do you mean by "occurring for 1,000 years"? Do you mean the moon is in the sky, visible and basically the same size, for a 1,000 year period, or that the inhabitants see it once every 1,000 years, like a comet?
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. What do you mean by "occurring for 1,000 years"? Do you mean the moon is in the sky, visible and basically the same size, for a 1,000 year period, or that the inhabitants see it once every 1,000 years, like a comet?
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@StephenG true, but not all of them were considered moons.
$endgroup$
– shootshi
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@StephenG true, but not all of them were considered moons.
$endgroup$
– shootshi
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@JBH thank you :) No, no, I want it to be much smaller to lessen the impact on the system. But what I mean is the ideal scenario for it to be visible once a year, each year, for 1,000 years.
$endgroup$
– shootshi
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@JBH thank you :) No, no, I want it to be much smaller to lessen the impact on the system. But what I mean is the ideal scenario for it to be visible once a year, each year, for 1,000 years.
$endgroup$
– shootshi
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thanks, please edit your question with the clarification. Never depend on people reading through the comments to find clarifications. Cheers!
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thanks, please edit your question with the clarification. Never depend on people reading through the comments to find clarifications. Cheers!
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
2 Answers
2
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$begingroup$
Yes. That would be a kind of quasi-satellite.
And Earth already has a small one - it's called Cruithne. At perigee, a larger Cruithne might well be visible, always in the same section of the sky.
A larger body would be less stable, but if you only need one thousand years, I think it could work out.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Just wanted to point out this despite it not being in the question. I think the "failure mode" for this solution would be pretty bad. I mean, if I had bought this solution from a world building agency I would want my money back or at least very good insurance for my civilization bundled in the deal.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
15 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A comet could fill this role. Comets are notoriously bright.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Comet_P1_McNaught02_-_23-01-07.jpg
I like the tail but you could have your celestial body be made of something more solid, equally reflective, but not falling apart and leaving the tail.
Comets also have very elliptical orbits and visit infrequently. In this list of periodic comets, 3200 Phaeton has a period of 1.4 years - very short by comet standards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3200_Phaethon
So: your second moon is a very bright short period comet. That seems plausible.
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add a comment |
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2 Answers
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$begingroup$
Yes. That would be a kind of quasi-satellite.
And Earth already has a small one - it's called Cruithne. At perigee, a larger Cruithne might well be visible, always in the same section of the sky.
A larger body would be less stable, but if you only need one thousand years, I think it could work out.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Just wanted to point out this despite it not being in the question. I think the "failure mode" for this solution would be pretty bad. I mean, if I had bought this solution from a world building agency I would want my money back or at least very good insurance for my civilization bundled in the deal.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
15 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes. That would be a kind of quasi-satellite.
And Earth already has a small one - it's called Cruithne. At perigee, a larger Cruithne might well be visible, always in the same section of the sky.
A larger body would be less stable, but if you only need one thousand years, I think it could work out.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Just wanted to point out this despite it not being in the question. I think the "failure mode" for this solution would be pretty bad. I mean, if I had bought this solution from a world building agency I would want my money back or at least very good insurance for my civilization bundled in the deal.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
15 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes. That would be a kind of quasi-satellite.
And Earth already has a small one - it's called Cruithne. At perigee, a larger Cruithne might well be visible, always in the same section of the sky.
A larger body would be less stable, but if you only need one thousand years, I think it could work out.
$endgroup$
Yes. That would be a kind of quasi-satellite.
And Earth already has a small one - it's called Cruithne. At perigee, a larger Cruithne might well be visible, always in the same section of the sky.
A larger body would be less stable, but if you only need one thousand years, I think it could work out.
answered 4 hours ago
LSerniLSerni
28.3k24990
28.3k24990
$begingroup$
Just wanted to point out this despite it not being in the question. I think the "failure mode" for this solution would be pretty bad. I mean, if I had bought this solution from a world building agency I would want my money back or at least very good insurance for my civilization bundled in the deal.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
15 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Just wanted to point out this despite it not being in the question. I think the "failure mode" for this solution would be pretty bad. I mean, if I had bought this solution from a world building agency I would want my money back or at least very good insurance for my civilization bundled in the deal.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
15 mins ago
$begingroup$
Just wanted to point out this despite it not being in the question. I think the "failure mode" for this solution would be pretty bad. I mean, if I had bought this solution from a world building agency I would want my money back or at least very good insurance for my civilization bundled in the deal.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
15 mins ago
$begingroup$
Just wanted to point out this despite it not being in the question. I think the "failure mode" for this solution would be pretty bad. I mean, if I had bought this solution from a world building agency I would want my money back or at least very good insurance for my civilization bundled in the deal.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
15 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A comet could fill this role. Comets are notoriously bright.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Comet_P1_McNaught02_-_23-01-07.jpg
I like the tail but you could have your celestial body be made of something more solid, equally reflective, but not falling apart and leaving the tail.
Comets also have very elliptical orbits and visit infrequently. In this list of periodic comets, 3200 Phaeton has a period of 1.4 years - very short by comet standards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3200_Phaethon
So: your second moon is a very bright short period comet. That seems plausible.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A comet could fill this role. Comets are notoriously bright.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Comet_P1_McNaught02_-_23-01-07.jpg
I like the tail but you could have your celestial body be made of something more solid, equally reflective, but not falling apart and leaving the tail.
Comets also have very elliptical orbits and visit infrequently. In this list of periodic comets, 3200 Phaeton has a period of 1.4 years - very short by comet standards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3200_Phaethon
So: your second moon is a very bright short period comet. That seems plausible.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A comet could fill this role. Comets are notoriously bright.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Comet_P1_McNaught02_-_23-01-07.jpg
I like the tail but you could have your celestial body be made of something more solid, equally reflective, but not falling apart and leaving the tail.
Comets also have very elliptical orbits and visit infrequently. In this list of periodic comets, 3200 Phaeton has a period of 1.4 years - very short by comet standards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3200_Phaethon
So: your second moon is a very bright short period comet. That seems plausible.
$endgroup$
A comet could fill this role. Comets are notoriously bright.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Comet_P1_McNaught02_-_23-01-07.jpg
I like the tail but you could have your celestial body be made of something more solid, equally reflective, but not falling apart and leaving the tail.
Comets also have very elliptical orbits and visit infrequently. In this list of periodic comets, 3200 Phaeton has a period of 1.4 years - very short by comet standards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3200_Phaethon
So: your second moon is a very bright short period comet. That seems plausible.
answered 2 hours ago
WillkWillk
113k27211472
113k27211472
add a comment |
add a comment |
shootshi is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
shootshi is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
shootshi is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
shootshi is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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$begingroup$
Humans considered all celestial bodies to be going around the Earth until a chap named Copernicus (and some of his contemporaries) suggested otherwise. I doubt the size would make a difference or periodicity.
$endgroup$
– StephenG
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Welcome to Worldbuilding.SE! We're glad you could join us! When you have a moment, please click here to learn more about our culture and take our tour. What do you mean by "occurring for 1,000 years"? Do you mean the moon is in the sky, visible and basically the same size, for a 1,000 year period, or that the inhabitants see it once every 1,000 years, like a comet?
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@StephenG true, but not all of them were considered moons.
$endgroup$
– shootshi
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
@JBH thank you :) No, no, I want it to be much smaller to lessen the impact on the system. But what I mean is the ideal scenario for it to be visible once a year, each year, for 1,000 years.
$endgroup$
– shootshi
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thanks, please edit your question with the clarification. Never depend on people reading through the comments to find clarifications. Cheers!
$endgroup$
– JBH
3 hours ago