Template:Constellation navbox/doc

{{Constellation navbox}} is a common navigation template with fixed groups, based on {{Navbox}} and employing a {{Hlist}} format. This navbox is designed to accommodate a consistent design and arrangement of groups according to classes of astronomical objects and events for use by the navboxes of the 88 modern constellations recognised by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). These groups are arranged in the order of stars, exoplanets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, galaxy clusters and astronomical events. Sub-groups to accommodate for the splitting of relatively large lists of wikilinks into common catalogue designations are also included. Fourteen {{#if:}} and three {{#ifexist:}} parser functions are used in this template.

Syntax

With base group parameters {{Constellation navbox | constellation = | related = | stars_named = | stars_bayer = | stars_flamsteed = | stars_variable = | stars_hr = | stars_hd = | stars_other = | exoplanets = | sclusters = | nebulae = | galaxies = | gclusters = | events = }}

With extended group parameters {{Constellation navbox | constellation = | related = | stars_named = | stars_bayer = | stars_flamsteed = | stars_variable = | stars_hr = | stars_hd = | stars_other = | exoplanets = | sclusters_ngc = | sclusters_other = | nebulae_ngc = | nebulae_other = | galaxies_messier = | galaxies_ngc = | galaxies_num = | galaxies_other = | gclusters = | events = }}

With all parameters {{Constellation navbox | constellation = | related = | stars_named = | stars_bayer = | stars_flamsteed = | stars_variable = | stars_hr = | stars_hd = | stars_other = | exoplanets = | sclusters_ngc = | sclusters_other = | sclusters = | nebulae_ngc = | nebulae_other = | nebulae = | galaxies_messier = | galaxies_ngc = | galaxies_num = | galaxies_other = | galaxies = | gclusters = | events = }}

Design

Groups

This navbox uses the base {{Navbox}} template with its above and below groups used for the linking of related articles and the prime category associated with a constellation, respectively. The main body is divided into ten main groups, nine of which are optional and can be deactivated. The sole mandatory group, used to list stars, is left permanently active as it is anticipated that it would never need to be deactivated. Of the rest of the main groups, six are part of the "base groups", which are child navbox groups scaled to 151px width – these are groups dedicated to exoplanets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, galaxy clusters and astronomical events. Group headings of the base parameters are manually colored #ddddff to match the colour of the navbox's normal groups. The other three groups are part of the "extended groups", which are normal navbox groups scaled to 55px width, and like the mandatory stars group can accommodate space for its own child groups scaled at 70px width – these are groups dedicated to star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. A visual aid to better illustrate these two group types is shown at the bottom of this section. Instructions on when to use the base and/or extended groups can be found in the "Usage" section below.

The 55px, 70px, and 151px widths of these groups were chosen as they were the smallest possible widths for each of the group headings that would accommodate the names of all of the groups on a single line, with the exception of the star clusters extended group, for which the name was split onto two lines with a <br /> break. The use of child navbox groups for the base groups was to allow for the custom sizing of the groups to match the total width of the extended groups' headings – this cannot be achieved with the normal navbox groups, as all of the groups share the one common size parameter, groupwidth, and the widths of the individual groups themselves cannot be changed.

Wikilinks

The use of wikilinks to New General Catalogue in the subheadings of the extended groups for star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies are determined by two {{#if:}} parser functions – the first parser deactivates the wikilink to New General Catalogue under the nebulae group if the scluster_ngc parameter is active, and the second deactivates the wikilink under the galaxies group if either scluster_ngc and/or nebulae_ngc are active. This is to comply with the Manual of Style's guidelines on duplicate or repeated links. A caveat in the guideline states "if helpful for readers, a link may be repeated in infoboxes, tables, image captions, footnotes, hatnotes, [ect].]", but it would not be helpful in this case, as the repetition of "NGC" would make obvious the correlation of the NGC abbreviation to the New General Catalogue upon its first link when common sense is applied.

Usage

"constellation" and "related"

The constellation parameter is used to name the template, and provide wikilinks to the constellation chosen in the template's title, and its relevant category in the template's footer. You only need to input the name of a constellation in this parameter. This is because the template can automatically link to a constellation's article and category even with "(constellation)" disambiguation in their names, using three {{#ifexist:}} parser functions. For example, input "Aquarius" instead of "Aquarius (constellation)", and "Leo" instead of "Leo (constellation)". The related parameter duplicates the above parameter from {{Navbox}}, and it is used in this case to list related articles, such as List of stars in Apus and Hydra in Chinese astronomy. Format the list of related articles by dedicating a new line to each entry, and using an asterisk (*) before each entry – an example of this, and the use of constellation, is illustrated below.

{{Constellation navbox
| constellation    = Orion
| related          = 
* [[Ardra (nakshatra)]]
* [[List of stars in Orion]]
* [[Orion correlation theory]]
* [[Orion in Chinese astronomy]]
}}

Base groups

The first seven parameters, stars_named, stars_bayer, stars_flamsteed, stars_variable, stars_hr, stars_hd, and stars_other, are used to list stars in a constellation, divided among groups related to the stars' designations. The last six parameters, exoplanets, sclusters, nebulae, galaxies, gclusters, and events, are each dedicated to a class of astronomical objects and transient astronomical events in a constellation. Explanations on which articles are to be listed in each group, and how to link them, are listed in the table below. Like related, lists should be formatted by dedicating a new line to each entry, and using an asterisk (*) before each entry. The addition of red links and redirects are highly discouraged per guidelines on navigational boxes which state that "red links and redirects should normally be avoided unless they are very likely to be developed into articles [...] Even then, editors are encouraged to write the article first." Unlinked text is also discouraged per the aforementioned guidelines.

Parameter	Description	Linking
stars_named	Articles for stars and star systems in the constellation with titles bearing their proper name as officially designated by the International Astronomical Union, e.g. Pollux (star). Not to be misinterpreted as a group for any articles titled with proper names, which should instead be included in stars_other. Any number of wikilinks can be displayed in this category, even if there is less than five.	Wikilinks in this group should exclude any disambiguation if they are part of the article's title, e.g. [[Pollux (star)|Pollux]]. Otherwise they should not be altered, and display the full name of the article, e.g. [[Vega]].
stars_bayer	Articles for stars and star systems in the constellation with titles bearing their bayer designation – a Greek or Latin alphabet character followed by the constellation's Latin name, e.g. Alpha Centauri, or α Centauri.	Wikilinks in this group should exclude the Latin constellation name and display only the character associated with the star, e.g. [[Alpha Centauri|α]]. Articles are to be listed in Greek/Latin alphabetical order.
stars_flamsteed	Articles for stars and star systems in the constellation with titles bearing their flamsteed designation – an identifying number followed by the constellation's Latin name, e.g. 10 Persei.	Wikilinks in this group should exclude the Latin constellation name and display only the star's identifier, e.g. [[10 Persei|10]]. Articles are to be listed in numerical order.
stars_variable	Articles for stars and star systems in the constellation with titles bearing their variable star designation – a complex naming regime for stars which display variable behaviour, e.g. VY Canis Majoris.	Wikilinks in this group should exclude the Latin constellation name and display only the star's identifier, e.g. [[VY Canis Majoris|VY]]. Articles are to be listed in the variable star designation order, detailed here.
stars_hr	Articles for stars and star systems in the constellation with titles bearing their Bright Star Catalogue designation – an identifying number prefixed by the acronym "HR" for "Harvard Revised", e.g. HR 8799.	Wikilinks in this group should exclude the "HR" prefix and display only the star's identifier, e.g. [[HR 8799|8799]]. Articles are to be listed in numerical order.
stars_hd	Articles for stars and star systems in the constellation with titles bearing their Henry Draper Catalogue designation – an identifying number prefixed by the acronym "HD" for "Henry Draper", e.g. HD 85512.	Wikilinks in this group should exclude the "HD" prefix and display only the star's identifier, e.g. [[HD 85512|85512]]. Articles are to be listed in numerical order.
stars_other	Articles for stars and star systems in the constellation with titles bearing names other than the designations above, e.g. TRAPPIST-1. If any of the groups above, except for stars_named, have less than five wikilinks, it is encouraged to list them in this group instead. However, in the rare instance that only articles on stars and star systems with the above designations exist, the above groups should be kept regardless of the amount of links, and this group should not be used. While not technically stars, black holes are part of the stellar life cycle, and thus can be included in this group.	Wikilinks in these groups should not be altered, and display the full name of the article, e.g. [[TRAPPIST-1]]. Articles are to be listed in alphabetical order, including numerals first.
exoplanets	Articles for both candidate and confirmed exoplanets in the constellation. If an article exists for a planetary system, e.g. Gliese 581 planetary system, link it in place of its individual planets.
sclusters	Articles for star clusters in the constellation, including open clusters and asterisms.
nebulae	Articles for nebulae in the constellation, including molecular clouds and dark nebulae.
galaxies	Articles for galaxies of which their apparent area is either completely within or mostly within the boundaries of the constellation. Galaxies of which only a minority of their area exists within the constellation should not be included.
gclusters	Articles for galaxy clusters of which their apparent area is either completely within or mostly within the boundaries of the constellation. Galaxy clusters of which only a minority of their area exists within the constellation should not be included.
events	Articles for transient astronomical events which have occurred in the constellation, including gamma-ray bursts and supernovae.

Extended groups

If the number of wikilinks to New General Catalogue objects in the sclusters, nebulae, and galaxies groups, or the number of Messier objects and/or numbered galaxies in the galaxies group exceeds four, and the total number of wikilinks in the aforementioned groups exceeds eight, the use of the navbox's extended groups are then encouraged. These are a set of seven optional subgroups which can be used to divide any, or all, of the aforementioned base groups into lists sorted by NGC, Messier, numbered, and other designations, similar to the base groups for stars. Explanations on which articles are to be listed in each group, and how to link them, are listed in the table below. Three {{#if:}} parser functions are employed in the template to prevent the misuse of both base and extended groups for the same class of astronomical objects – for example, the base group for star clusters (sclusters) will be deactivated if the extended groups sclusters_ngc and/or sclusters_other are active. Like related and the parameters for the base groups, lists should be formatted by dedicating a new line to each entry, and using an asterisk (*) before each entry. Red links, redirects, and unlinked text are discouraged.

Parameter	Description	Linking
sclusters_ngc	Articles for star clusters, nebulae, and/or galaxies in the constellation with titles bearing their New General Catalogue designation – an identifying number prefixed by the acronym "NGC" for "New General Catalogue", e.g. NGC 6000.	Wikilinks in these groups should exclude the "NGC" prefix and display only the object's identifier, e.g. [[NGC 6000|6000]]. Articles are to be listed in numerical order.
nebulae_ngc
galaxies_ngc
galaxies_messier	Articles for galaxies in the constellation with titles bearing their Messier object designation – an identifying number prefixed by the word "Messier", e.g. Messier 100.	Wikilinks in this group should exclude the "Messier" prefix and display only the galaxy's identifier, e.g. [[Messier 100|100]]. Articles are to be listed in numerical order.
galaxies_num	Articles for galaxies in the constellation with titles bearing a Latin numeral as an identifier, prefixed by the constellation's English name, e.g. Andromeda II. Not to be misinterpreted as a group for article titles for galaxies with a Latin numeral prefixed by other words, e.g. Donatiello I, which should instead be included in galaxies_other.	Wikilinks in this group should exclude the English constellation name and display only the galaxy's identifier, e.g. [[Andromeda II|II]]. Articles are to be listed in numerical order.
sclusters_other	Articles for star clusters, nebulae, and/or galaxies in the constellation with titles bearing names other than the designations above, e.g. Centaurus A. If galaxies_messier, galaxies_ngc, or galaxies_num have less than five wikilinks, it is encouraged to list them in this group instead.	Wikilinks in these groups should not be altered, and display the full name of the article, e.g. [[Centaurus A]]. Articles are to be listed in alphabetical order, including numerals first.
nebulae_other
galaxies_other