Template:MPC/sandbox

This is the template sandbox page for Template:MPC (diff).

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This template is used on approximately 990 pages and changes may be widely noticed. Test changes in the template's /sandbox or /testcases subpages, or in your own user subpage. Consider discussing changes on the talk page before implementing them.

Description[edit]

This template creates an external link to the Minor Planet Center's (MPC) object page for a specific minor planet, based on its number or provisional designation. The template can also be used for comets. The MPC object page is a summary page of a body's discovery, orbital, and observational data. It is displayed when using the MPC Database Search engine for a single object search.

Usage[edit]

Note: not replacing white spaces with a plus sign (+) may result in URL corruption or a link to an erroneous object view.

This template accepts 2 unnamed parameters. The required first parameter is the minor planet's unique identifier. The optional second parameter is replacement wikilink text.

Examples[edit]

Numbered minor planets[edit]

For numbered minor planets, simply use its number:

{{MPC|75482}} produces MPC, a link to MPC's corresponding page for (75482) 1999 XC173
{{MPC|75482|(75482) 1999 XC173}} produces (75482) 1999 XC173

Unnumbered minor planets[edit]

For unnumbered minor planets, use a plus-sign (+) between the numeric and alphanumeric part of the provisional designation:

{{MPC|2010+JL88}} produces MPC, a link to MPC's corresponding page for 2010 JL88
{{MPC|2010+JL88|2010 JL88}} produces 2010 JL88

Comets[edit]

For comets, also use a plus sign (+) instead of white spaces:

{{MPC|P/2011+NO1}} produces MPC, an external link to MPC's corresponding page for P/2011 NO1 (Elenin) (i.e. P/2011 NO1)
{{MPC|P/2011+NO1|P/2011 NO1}} produces P/2011 NO1

For numbered comets do not add the name part of the comet's designation:

{{MPC|46P}} produces MPC, an external link to MPC's corresponding page for 46P/Wirtanen
{{MPC|46P|46P/Wirtanen}} produces 46P/Wirtanen