Wikipedia:WikiProject Astronomical objects/Infoboxes

This page is where work is being done to come up with a generic table template to be used for organizing a list of facts about various astronomical bodies such as planets, natural satellites, and maybe also smaller bodies such as asteroids and comets (though I suspect that both asteroids and comets will be better served by having their own template design).

Non-stellar astronomical objects

(78799) 2002 XW₉₃

Discovery
Discovered by	Palomar team
Discovery site	Palomar Obs.
Discovery date	10 December 2002
Designations
MPC designation	(78799) 2002 XW93
Alternative designations	2002 XW93
Minor planet category	TNO
Orbital characteristics
Epoch 31 July 2016 (JD 2457600.5)
Uncertainty parameter 3
Observation arc	18.76 yr (6,852 days)
Aphelion	46.780 AU
Perihelion	28.193 AU
Semi-major axis	37.487 AU
Eccentricity	0.2479
Orbital period (sidereal)	229.52 yr (83,833 days)
Mean anomaly	141.33°
Mean motion	0° 0m 15.48s / day
Inclination	14.382°
Longitude of ascending node	46.926°
Argument of perihelion	247.23°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions	584 km 565 km
Absolute magnitude (H)	5.5

Main template: Infobox planet

Main page: Template:Infobox planet

This template has been designed for the presentation of information on non-stellar astronomical objects: planets (including extrasolar planets), dwarf planets, moons and minor planets. For § Extrasolar planets and § Comets, alternative templates exist.

The adjunct infobox-example is generated by the {{Infobox planet}} template for the minor planet (78799) 2002 XW93. This example uses the following wikicode:

{{Infobox planet
 | minorplanet     = yes
 | name            = {{mp|(78799) 2002 XW|93}}
 | background      = #C2E0FF
 | image           = 
 | caption         = 
 | discovery_ref   = &thinsp;ref name="MPC-78799" /><ref name="MPEC2003-Y55" />
 | discovered      = 10 December 2002
 | discoverer      = [[Palomar Observatory|Palomar]] {{small|team}}
 | discovery_site  = [[Palomar Observatory|Palomar Obs.]]
 | mp_name         = {{mp|(78799) 2002 XW|93}}
 | alt_names       = {{mp|2002 XW|93}}
 | named_after     = 
 | mp_category     = [[Trans-Neptunian object|TNO]]&thinsp;<ref name="MPC-78799" />
 | orbit_ref       = <ref name="jpldata" />
 | epoch           = 31 July 2016 ([[Julian day|JD]] 2457600.5)
 | uncertainty     = 3
 | observation_arc = {{nowrap|18.76 yr (6,852 days)}}
 | aphelion        = 46.780 [[Astronomical unit|AU]]
 | perihelion      = 28.193 AU
 | semimajor       = 37.487 AU
 | eccentricity    = 0.2479
 | period          = 229.52 [[Julian year (astronomy)|yr]] (83,833 days)
 | mean_anomaly    = 141.33[[Degree (angle)|°]]
 | mean_motion     = {{Deg2DMS|0.0043|sup=ms}} / day
 | inclination     = 14.382°
 | asc_node        = 46.926°
 | arg_peri        = 247.23°
 | dimensions      = 584 [[Kilometre|km]]<ref name="Brown" /><br />565 km<ref name="tnolist" />
 | mass            = 
 | rotation        = 
 | albedo          = 
 | spectral_type   = 
 | abs_magnitude   = 5.5<ref name="jpldata" />
}}

Note

• for a clean syntax, citations should be listed separately in the article's "References" section (see § References: segregated citations used in infobox).
• The above example uses a basic parameter selection for minor planets with some parameters such as |image= and |mass= left empty.
• The template has an optional astron argument whose default value is helion; this allows its use to describe asteroid moons, as in the S/2000 (1998 WW₃₁) 1 example.
• Formatting unnamed minor planets
  • use {{mp}} to format unnamed minor planets: {{mp|(78799) 2002 XW|93}} displays as (78799) 2002 XW₉₃
  • use {{mpl}} to add a link: {{mpl|(78799) 2002 XW|93}} displays as (78799) 2002 XW93
  • use {{mpl-}} to suppress the designation's number part: {{mpl-|78799|2002 XW|93}} displays as 2002 XW₉₃
  • for more details see Template:mp/doc
  • to modify the article's title with subscripted index, use {{DISPLAYTITLE:}}. See first line in the edit window of article (78799) 2002 XW93

Comets

9P/Tempel; Tempel 1

Nucleus imaged by the Deep Impact impactor
Discovery
Discovered by	Ernst Wilhelm Leberecht Tempel
Discovery date	April 3, 1867
Designations
Alternative designations	9P/1867 G1; 1867 II; 9P/1873 G1; 1873 I; 1873a 1879 III; 1879b 9P/1967 L1; 1966 VII 9P/1972 A1; 1972 V; 1972a 1978 II; 1977i 1983 XI; 1982j 1989 I; 1987e1 1994 XIX; 1993c
Orbital characteristics
Epoch	March 6, 2006
Aphelion	4.737 AU
Perihelion	1.506 AU
Semi-major axis	3.122 AU
Eccentricity	0.5175
Orbital period	5.515 a
Inclination	10.5301°
Last perihelion	July 5, 2005
Next perihelion	2011

As discussed above, comets might be served better by a different template. Here is a suggestion for {{Comet}} we can toy with until we are happy with it. Awolf002 00:23, 5 December 2005 (UTC)

Useful sources

• JPL's SSD, Natural Satellite Physical Parameters
• JPL's SSD, Planetary Satellite Mean Orbital Parameters
• Solarviews
• The Nine Planets
• nifty Windows tool (AstOrb Browser) by Urhixidur used to generate an {{Infobox planet}} and footers as mentioned below

Sidebars

• Template:Distant minor planets sidebar - Small list of TNO-related topics

Footers

Planets

• Template:Solar System - Planets in the Solar System
  • Template:Uranus - Uranus's natural satellites
  • Template:Neptune - Neptune's natural satellites
  • Template:Mars - Mars' natural satellites

Planetary moons

• Template:Moons of Jupiter - Jupiter's natural satellites (exhaustive)
• Template:Moons of Saturn - Saturn's natural satellites (exhaustive)

Dwarf planets

• Template:Dwarf planets – for dwarf planets and candidates

Moons of dwarf planets

• Template:Moons of dwarf planets - Natural satellites of Pluto, Haumea and Eris

Minor planets

• Template:Minor planets navigator – sequential navigator for numbered minor planets (see LOMP)

Cometary objects

• Template:PeriodicComets Navigator – sequential navigator for periodic comets

Any small Solar System body

• Template:Small Solar System bodies

Footer template examples

Particularly useful are the footer templates {{Minor planets navigator}} for minor planets, the footer template {{PeriodicComets Navigator}} for comets, and the footer template {{Small Solar System bodies}} for both minor planets and comets.

Example

{{Minor planets navigator}} for asteroid 61 Danaë

Example

{{PeriodicComets Navigator}} for comet 9P/Tempel

Example

{{Small Solar System bodies}} for any small Solar System body

Stellar objects

Starbox tree

Alpha Centauri

The position of Alpha Centauri.
Observation data Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation	Centaurus
Right ascension	14h 39m 36.2s
Declination	-60° 50′ 8.2″
Apparent magnitude (V)	-0.01
Characteristics
Spectral type	G2 V
U−B color index	0.24
B−V color index	0.65
Variable type	N/A
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)	21.6 km/s
Proper motion (μ)	RA: -3678.19 mas/yr Dec.: +481.84 mas/yr
Parallax (π)	747.23 ± 1.17 mas
Distance	4.38 ly (1.33 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)	4.40
Details
Mass	1.10/0.91 M☉
Radius	1.23/0.87 R☉
Luminosity	1.57/0.51 L☉
Temperature	5,800/5,300 K
Metallicity	130-230% Sun
Rotation	?
Age	5-6 × 109 years
Orbit
Companion	Alpha Centauri B
Period (P)	79.92 yr
Semi-major axis (a)	17.515″
Eccentricity (e)	0.516
Inclination (i)	79.24°
Longitude of the node (Ω)	204.87° (ascending)°
Periastron epoch (T)	1955.56
Other designations
α1 Cen, CP -60° 5483 A, Gliese 559A, FK5 538, HD 128620, HIP 71683, HR 5459, LHS 50, SAO 252838, YPC 3309.00

This table is composed of the following sub-templates:

• {{Starbox begin}}
• {{Starbox image}}
• {{Starbox observe}}
• {{Starbox character}}
• {{Starbox astrometry}}
• {{Starbox visbin}}
• {{Starbox detail}}
• {{Starbox catalog}}
• {{Starbox end}}

References: [1] [2] [3]

Short star template

Alpha Centauri

Observation data Epoch 2000      Equinox 2000
Constellation	Centaurus
Right ascension	14h 39m 36.5s
Declination	-62° 50' 2.72"
Apparent magnitude (V)	-0.01
Distance	4.38 ly (1.33 pc)
Spectral type	G2 V
Other designations
α1 Cen, HD 128620, CP-60°5483 A, HR 5459, HIP 71683

• {{starbox short}}

This template is for stubby star articles, and should be replaced with the full template when the article is expanded.

Footers

Obsolete:

• Template:ConstellationsListedByPtolemy - Ptolemy's constellations
• Template:ConstellationList - Modern constellations
  • Template:ConstellationsRoyerAltered - Constellations altered by Augustin Royer in 1679

Replaced by:

• Template:navconstel
• Template:navconstel-historic

Extrasolar planets

TrES-1

Discovery
Detection method	Transit, radial velocity, infrared light
Orbital characteristics
Semi-major axis	0.0393 (± 0.0007)
Eccentricity	0.135 (± 0.096)
Orbital period (sidereal)	3.030065 (± 0.000008)
Inclination	88.2 (± 1)
Physical characteristics
Mass	0.61 (± 0.06)
Mean density	642

• {{Infobox planet}}

Supernovae

SN 1987A

1987A supernova remnant near the center
IIp (unusual)
Date	24 February 1987 (23:00 UTC)
Constellation	Dorado
Right ascension	05h 35m 49.942s (1950)
Declination	−69° 17′ 57.60″ (1950)
Epoch	J2000.0
Galactic coordinates	unknown
Remnant	unknown
Host	Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC)
Progenitor	Sanduleak −69° 202 a
Progenitor type	B3 supergiant
Colour (B-V)	+0.085
Notable features	The closest recorded sn. since invention of telescope
Peak apparent magnitude	+3

Template: {{Infobox supernova}}

This is a table template that should be used for supernovae. It automatically assigns the article to Category:Supernovae.

Open Clusters

NGC 6656
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Right ascension	18h 36m 18s
Declination	−23° 53′ 58″
Distance	10.4 kly
Apparent magnitude (V)	5.1
Apparent dimensions (V)	32.0″
Physical characteristics
Mass	105 to 106 M☉
Other designations	Messier 22
Associations

Template: {{Infobox open cluster}}

Sample table for M22. Please modify and improve as needed.

The template is for open clusters.

Globular Clusters

NGC 6656
Core of Messier 22
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Class	VII
Right ascension	18h 36m 18s
Declination	−23° 53′ 58″
Distance	10.4 kly
Apparent magnitude (V)	5.1
Apparent dimensions (V)	32.0″
Physical characteristics
Mass	105 to 106 M☉
VHB	14.2
Other designations	Messier 22

Template: {{Infobox globular cluster}}

Sample table for M22. Please modify and improve as needed.

The template is for globular clusters.

Galaxies

Spiral Galaxy M109
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Constellation	Ursa Major
Right ascension	11h 57.6m 36.0s
Declination	+53° 23' 28"
Redshift	+0.003496
Distance	41 million ly
Apparent magnitude (V)	+9.8
Absolute magnitude (V)	13.4
Characteristics
Type	SB(s)bc
Apparent size (V)	7.6' × 4.9'
Notable features	Possible Milky Way-twin, Bar at the center
Other designations
NGC 3992, UGC 6937

Template: {{Infobox Galaxy}}

This example table should be edited and used for galaxies.

Notes: Please see List of galaxies to find galaxies that do not yet have infoboxes/factsheets.
Please categorise your galaxy in a subcategory of Category:Galaxies

Galaxy cluster

Stephan's Quintet
Observation data (Epoch J2000)
Constellation(s)	Pegasus
Right ascension	22h 35m 57.5s
Declination	+33° 57′ 36″
Brightest member	NGC 7318B
Number of galaxies	4
Other designations
HCG 92, Arp 319, VV 288

Template: {{Infobox galaxy cluster}}

This example table should be edited and used for galaxy groups, clusters, and superclusters. It automatically assigns the article to Category:Galaxy clusters.

The sample data for this group was taken from the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) on 2006-09-18. However, NED may not be the best reference for all galaxy groups. It can be reliably used for compact groups such as the one in this example, and it can be used reliably for most Abell clusters and other moderate and high-redshift clusters, but it should be used cautiously (if used at all) for nearby galaxy groups such as the M81 Group.

Quasar

3C 273
Observation data (Epoch J2000.0)
Constellation	Virgo
Right ascension	12h 29m 06.7s
Declination	+02° 03′ 09″
Redshift	47,469 ± 20 km/s
Distance	2.44 Gly (749 Mpc)
Type	Blazar; Sy1
Apparent magnitude (V)	12.9
Notable features	First quasar discovered
Other designations
PGC 41121
See also: Quasar, List of quasars

Template: {{Infobox quasar}}

This example table should be edited and used for quasars.

Nebulae

Egg Nebula

Reflection nebula
Protoplanetary nebula
RAFGL 2688, the Egg Nebula
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension	21h 02m 18.75s
Declination	+36° 41′ 37.8″
Distance	3 kly (920 pc) ly
Apparent magnitude (V)	14.0
Apparent dimensions (V)	30″ × 15″
Constellation	Cygnus
Physical characteristics
Radius	0.2 ly[a] ly
Absolute magnitude (V)	4.2[b]
Notable features	-
Designations	RAFGL 2688, The Egg, Cygnus Egg

Template: {{Infobox nebula}}

To the right is an example using Template:Infobox nebula. This example can be copied and used for all nebulae, but pay close attention to the parameters like "type". For more information, see the template's documentation.

Categories and lists

Add articles to the appropriate Lists of nebulae and to the categories as given below, the category of its constellation, and the category of its catalog (ex:Category:Messier objects), in that order.

planetary nebulae

List of planetary nebulae, Category:Planetary nebulae

protoplanetary nebulae

List of protoplanetary nebulae, Category:Protoplanetary nebulae

diffuse nebulae.

List of diffuse nebulae, Category:Diffuse nebulae

dark nebulae

List of dark nebulae, Category:Dark nebulae

Useful links

• List of asteroids
• List of galaxies
• List of Messier objects
• List of NGC objects
• List of planetary nebulae
• To view changes made in the last 24 hours to astronomy pages on Wikipedia click here