Help:Creating an article

So you want to add a new article to Lunarpedia? Great — here is how, start to finish. For general editing help see Help:Editing; for the many ways to pitch in see Ways to contribute.

Before you start

• Check it doesn't already exist. Use the search box — your topic may already have a page you can improve instead.
• Make sure it fits Lunarpedia. Lunarpedia is an encyclopedia about the Moon and everything we will need to know to live and work there. It summarizes topics and references fuller sources elsewhere; it is not a place for complete papers, essays, or personal opinion.
• Content is public domain. Articles in the main namespace are released to the public domain — don't add anything you can't, or don't wish to, release freely.
• You need an account. Request one here if you don't have one yet.

Three ways to start a new page

1. From a red link. If another page links to your topic in red, the page doesn't exist yet — click the red link and start writing.
2. From search. Search for the title; if there is no match, the results page offers a link to create it.
3. By URL. Visit https://lunarpedia.org/YOUR_TITLE and, if the page is empty, click Create.

Write the article

Aim for a clear, encyclopedic summary:

• Open with a sentence that defines the topic (put the title in bold).
• Keep it factual and reference your sources with <ref>...</ref> tags — see Using references.
• Use section headings, links and lists to structure longer articles.

Finish up

• Categorize it. Add one to three categories from the category hierarchy at the bottom: [[Category:Name]].
• Add a summary and save. Describe your change in a few words and click Save.
• Don't worry about perfection. A short, rough start is fine — mark it {{stub}} and others can help expand it.

Prefer to hand off a draft? Email the Lunarpedia team (lunarpedia at moonsociety dot org) and a volunteer will add it for you.