Identity of the 17th–18th Century “Satellite of Venus” Observations

Determine the true identity of the object or phenomenon reported as a satellite of Venus by Jean Dominique Cassini, Tobias Mayer, James Short, and other experienced observers between 1645 and 1768, given modern knowledge that Venus has no natural satellite; characterize the nature, origin, and observational circumstances of these reports to resolve what was actually observed.

Background

The paper recounts historical observations where multiple skilled astronomers from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries reported a “satellite of Venus.” Modern astronomy has established that Venus has no moon, creating a discrepancy between historical observations and current knowledge.

The authors highlight this as an unresolved historical astronomical puzzle, explicitly noting that the question remains open regarding what those observers actually saw. Resolving the identity of the observed object(s) would clarify a longstanding anomaly in the astronomical record.