The following is an archived discussion of a featured article nomination. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the article's talk page or in Wikipedia talk:Featured article candidates. No further edits should be made to this page.

The article was promoted by Ian Rose via FACBot (talk) 3 September 2023 [1].

TRAPPIST-1[edit]

Nominator(s): Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 15:23, 5 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

So, this has been at FAC twice before but maybe third time's the charm. This article is about a dim star that happens to host a system of 7 possibly Earth-like planets, two or three of which may have temperatures that allow the existence of liquid water. It's featured in science as a case study of habitability on planets around such low-mass stars, including the important question of whether such planets can host atmospheres. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 15:23, 5 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Sandy Georgia[edit]

Comments by Nimbus 227[edit]

As an amateur astronomer and experienced Wikipedian I thought I should read through this, it's a long article so I didn't get very far but I noticed a couple of things that should be corrected for FA level text.

The first sentence of the lead describes the temperature with a surface temperature of about 2,566 K (2,293 °C; 4,159 °F). 'About' is an odd term to use when the temperature is given to an accuracy of 1°, the exact same temperature is repeated in the body text without 'about'. The temperature uses the abbreviation 'K' which is not explained, not everyone will know that it is Kelvin, it should be linked, explained or possibly better still left out so that only the familiar centigrade/Fahrenheit remain (and Kelvin is in the text for readers who want that level of detail).
Let's see if it now displays links and spell-out and rounds to a multiple of 10. Or do you recommend a different roundination? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Featured Articles with numbers in the lead often have them rounded to prevent readers' eyes glazing over, there is some guidance at MOS:LARGENUM, I would round the light year and parsec distances to 41 and 12.5, the precise distance being in the body text. Of course other editors come along and change it back because it's 'wrong'!!
The word 'transit' appears about 20 times but it is not explained or wikilinked, it should be linked to astronomical transit at the first instance (third paragraph in the 'Description' section) and possibly linked again later.
Added one link to begin with. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I will try to read further down this evening (UTC!), cheers. Nimbus (Cumulus nimbus floats by) 14:45, 6 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
(Continued) Some terms are not wikilinked at first instance (or at all), exoplanet could be mentioned in the lead as that's what they are, orbital resonance and stellar eclipse.
Added links. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
The list of planets seems to be disconnected from the planets section above by the atmosphere section, could the two tables be combined? Perhaps the section header levels need adjusting?
Hrmm. I think I deliberately wrote it that way because the question of atmospheres is really front and centre when we discuss the habitability of exoplanets around red dwarfs. That and I begin writing first about the planets as a whole and only later lead into discussing the specific planets. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
'As of 2020' appears a few times, have there been any discoveries in the last three years?
Yes, but not all of the "unsettled as of 2020" questions have had new answers. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Could the 'as of 2020s' be changed to 'as of 2023' so that the article appears to be up to date? Nimbus (Cumulus nimbus floats by) 17:00, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I'd prefer not - sourcing a text "as of 2023" to a 2020 publication when there is no new information is a bit too much original research. I don't want to treat "absence of evidence" as "evidence of new evidence". Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 17:44, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Footnote A is not cited (appears to be the only one).
I believe this falls under WP:CALC. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Referencing, have not looked at formatting or quality of sources, some facts are cited twice, looks unnecessary for uncontentious facts. Citations and footnotes appear mid-sentence which seems to be against WP:REFPUNCT.
That's going to be hard to fix - sometimes a sentence needs to stand on more than one source. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Might be worth asking one of the FA co-ords for advice on this. The effect is jarring while reading, perhaps that's why REFPUNCT was devised? Some of the sentences are quite short with only one fact stated but two citations. I like the footnote explanations, caters for the PDF version where blue links don't work. It is possible that an editor working on a potential FA sees this article's citations and copies the style. Nimbus (Cumulus nimbus floats by) 17:43, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
REFPUNCT was devised way back in the olden days when people placed citations before punctuation, and we even had scripts going around fixing them. Nowhere does any guideline say you can't place a citation mid-sentence, AFAIK. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 18:27, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
The idea that references cannot be placed mid-sentence is a misreading of WP:REFPUNCT. That guideline tells us the citations are placed after punctuation, and says nothing about citation placement in instances where there is no puncutation, and it never says citations can't be placed mid-sentence (as in practice they often are). SandyGeorgia (Talk) 18:26, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
The exoplanet navbox (Template:Exoplanet) does not contain a link to this article, strictly it could be removed per WP:BIDIRECTIONAL though I see its usefulness, the navbox is also used in the related planets articles with the same problem. Nimbus (Cumulus nimbus floats by) 18:30, 6 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Removed it. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
The infobox links apparent magnitude six times and color index four times (WP:OVERLINK) and 'Luminosity (bolometric)' is not linked (the only parameter that's not linked), it could be linked to Luminosity. Template:Starbox character (and its related templates) coding should be revised. Nimbus (Cumulus nimbus floats by) 08:34, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Jo-Jo ? Gog the Mild (talk) 17:50, 27 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
That sounds like a problem with Template:Starbox character and not with this article, though? BTW, I already pinged the people who have commented so far, on their talk pages. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 18:02, 27 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
The problem is that readers and potential FA editors/nominators might not realise it is a template, they just see it as text on the page. Technically it is a problem in over 5,000 articles. Perhaps things have changed but FA nominators were encouraged to improve related articles and templates, a request at Template talk:Starbox begin would be pertinent. Nimbus (Cumulus nimbus floats by) 09:58, 3 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I've asked for a fix on the template's talk page, but since I doubt that it will happen quickly I've done a change on the article page, until the template is resolved. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 10:44, 3 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Support by WereSpielChequers[edit]

I've kicked the tyres a few times on this one, and I think it is up to snuff. Hopefully it will need a lot of updating in the future as this is clearly at the leading edge of astronomy. More is to be discovered here, so it is good to have an article at this standard with our current level of knowledge. ϢereSpielChequers 07:46, 26 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

This is an important topic, thanks for your work on it. If found it an interesting read and not too impenetrable for someone who knows little of astronomy other than what one would expect of any hardcore Science Fiction fan. I have made some tweaks, hope you like them.
"and would, in many cases, appear larger than Earth's Moon in the sky of Earth"; Surely that would be "at closest approaches"? Most of the time these planets are going to be far further away than at their closest approach and sometimes will be on the other side of the star. Especially when we are comparing planets to each other rather than a planet to its moon.
Yes, it's just not spelled out like that in the source. Worth adding anyway? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I would think so, would it be possible to add a comparison to Venus at its closest approach? ϢereSpielChequers 09:15, 3 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
"Its mass is approximately 9% of that of the Sun,[27] being just sufficient to allow nuclear fusion to take place." and "With a radius 12% of that of the sun, it is only slightly larger than the planet Jupiter." these two statements in combination give the impression that Jupiter is only a little short of becoming a star. But there is a big gulf between Jupiter and TRAPPIST-1, a gulf bigger than a Brown Dwarf. My back of the envelope calculation shows that if TRAPPIST-1 had a few Jupiter masses less it would be a Brown Dwarf. So perhaps "just sufficient to allow fusion of hydrogen and only a few Jupiter sized masses heavier than a Brown Dwarf star". And with a radius more than 10% greater than Jupiter I think we can go with something stronger than only slightly larger, also it might be worth adding their respective masses, Jupiter's being around 1% that of TRAPPIST-1.
Mmm, this is where my background knowledge kicks in - star radius is extremely unrelated to star mass. I don't think 10% is a big radius difference, even if the mass difference is indeed substantial. And I don't like linking to Brown dwarf because that implicitly assumes that the mass cutoff is a fixed value, when in reality it depends on metallicity. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
The lede says "Discovered in 2000, it is slightly larger than Jupiter and has a mass of about 9% of the Sun" I think that's what threw me - comparing it to Jupiter by volume but the sun by mass. I suspect a general reader would be as likely as me to get confused by that. May I suggest that in the lede you use mass for both comparisons. ϢereSpielChequers 18:27, 2 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Went with a radius and mass thing instead, since folks will want to know the radius too. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 20:14, 2 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Yes that's better. Thanks ϢereSpielChequers 09:18, 3 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
How about adding (though much more massive) after "only slightly larger than the planet Jupiter"? ϢereSpielChequers 13:16, 25 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Added, but I don't like the lack of sourcing. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:32, 25 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
"Eventually the surfaces would cool until the magma oceans solidified, which may have taken between a few billions of years, or a few millions of years in the case of TRAPPIST-1b." As Trappist-1b is the closest to the star I would have thought it would have taken longest to cool?
Clarified with a small transposition. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
OK I guess this means we are still at early days in this subject. That's quite a range. ϢereSpielChequers 22:41, 25 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
"Stellar wind-driven escape in the Solar System is largely independent on planetary properties such as mass" should that be "independent of" or is this some sort of astronomy jargon?
No, just a bad word choice; resolved it. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
"the age of TRAPPIST-1 has been established at about 7.6±2.2 billion years" with such a wide margin of error I don't think we should use the word established.
I admit that I am not sure what other word to use here. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:23, 7 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
How about "TRAPPIST-1's age is estimated as 7.6±2.2 billion years" ? SandyGeorgia (Talk) 09:35, 8 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
That works; it's in. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:20, 8 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I like the use of estimate instead of established. Is this an unusually wide range for the possible age of a star, and if so should we say that? I'm thinking something more like "As of 2013 the age of Trappist-1 has not been precisely established, estimates range from a similar age as our sun to about twice that" and then put the figures. ϢereSpielChequers 10:32, 13 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I am a bit concerned about OR with such a formulation; I don't think that this age range is unusually large. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 17:42, 13 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Whether the range is large or not, 5.4 to 9.8 is not necesssarily that much greater than Sol, with that margin of error it is roughly one or two times the age of Sol. ϢereSpielChequers 13:28, 25 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
That still doesn't solve the source/OR issue. I've added the Solar System age. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:32, 25 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
That's all for now, but I enjoyed reading it and will likely be back for more ϢereSpielChequers 18:14, 6 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
"and their orbits have been constrained by measurements" would "calculated using" be more understandable to a general audience? ϢereSpielChequers 13:16, 25 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Probably yes, so it's in. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 16:32, 25 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Comment[edit]

Could the recent JWST result be incorporated into the article? SevenSpheres (talk) 17:12, 11 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

I think that the "In November-December it will" needs some explanation, or reviewers may reasonably query whether it meets "it neglects no major facts or details and places the subject in context" and "it is a thorough and representative survey of the relevant literature". — Preceding unsigned comment added by Gog the Mild (talk • contribs)
@WP:FAC coordinators: I have some minor doubts about these two studies - they mostly disregard tidal heating and many leave the possibility of a very thin atmosphere open. So I'd prefer to see a bit more commentary on them, rather than immediate addition. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 19:22, 30 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
That seems reasonable to me. There is an obvious tension between the consensus of scholarly sources, which will take time to form, and "a thorough and representative survey of the relevant literature". Gog the Mild (talk) 19:30, 30 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Sandbh comments[edit]

Below I’ve listed the topic sentences of each paragraph of the article so that I can check its logical flow. My specific comments have been indented.

Lede

TRAPPIST-1 is a cold dwarf star in the constellation Aquarius, with a surface temperature of about 2,566 kelvins (2,290 degrees Celsius; 4,160 degrees Fahrenheit).

Is it not an "ultra-cool" red dwarf star?
Yes, but that's encompassed by "cold" without using a technical term. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I was expecting to see how far away T1 is from us. Later in the article, in the List of Planets section, the planets are first referred to in terms of their distance from T1, and then their orbital period. Is there some reason why T1's distance from us is not first mentioned?
It's now mentioned. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

The star has a planetary system of seven known exoplanets.

The dual use of "planet" strikes me as being not up to FAC prose standard.
I am minded to disagree; it's two different words with the same component. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
My objection remains. Sandbh (talk) 06:04, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
So do I - it's two words with different meaning, sharing only one string. Perhaps you have an alternative wording choice? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
This paragraph goes on to say, "…the discovery of two terrestrial planets in orbit around TRAPPIST-1. In 2017, further analysis of the original observations identified five more planets."
Are not all seven planets thought to be rocky i.e. terrestrial?
Yes, but here the repetition doesn't add anything. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I was not looking for a repetition. Rather, if you specify that two of the planets are rocky it is courteous to the reader to clarify the status of the other fiven given they are mentioned in the same sentence. Sandbh (talk) 06:04, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Courteus yes, but not sourceable, I'm afraid. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
The last two sentences of this second paragraph of the lede start, "These seven planets…" and "The planets…". This kind of alliteration strikes me as being not up to FAC prose standard.
I am not sure that "bodies" would be better, as folks might think that it refers to additional bodies. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
My concern about not being up to FAC standard remains. Sandbh (talk) 06:04, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Pulled it, but my concern about clarity remains and clarity is also a component of good writing. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

As many as four of the planets – designated d, e, f and g – orbit at distances where temperatures are suitable for the existence of liquid water, and are thus potentially hospitable to life.

General comment: What’s the novelty of T1? Is it because it has seven Earth-sized planets?
Jo-Jo Eumerus? Sandbh (talk) 06:04, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
First multiple terrestrial planets around a very cold star, with multiple ones in the habitable zone. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Contents
1. Description
2. Planetary system
3. Potential planetary atmospheres
4. List of planets
5. Possible life
6. Research history and reception

It seems peculiar to discuss the planetary system in section 2 and have a table of the planets therein and to then have a section 4 called "List of planets", and another table of the planets therein. A better flow of contents could look like:
1. Star
2. Planets
3. Habitability
4. Research history and reception
You are not the first one to question this structure. However, I think there is an advantage to first discuss the planets as a whole, then a major aspect of their habitability and scientific interest, and then only delve into planet-specific details. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
My concern remains. Sandbh (talk) 06:04, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Noted, but I find my structure better - besides, atmosphere needs a separate section altogether, given its sheer importance. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Description[edit]

TRAPPIST-1 is in the constellation Aquarius,[15] five degrees south of the celestial equator.

The first two sentences start, “TRAPPIST-1 is…” and “TRAPPIST-1 is…”. This repetition is not up to FAC prose standard.
Fixed. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
The last sentence of this paragraph starts: "It has…" The next two sentences of the second para, read “It is…” and “Its…”. This repetition is not up to FAC prose standard.
Changed a bit, but I am not sure that there are many other ways to say this; ideas? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Alternate between "TRAPPIST-1" and "its". Sandbh (talk) 06:04, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Took care of this, also elsewhere in the article. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

It is a red dwarf of spectral class M8.0±0.5,[e][25][26] making it a relatively small and cold star.

This now reads, "The star is a red dwarf of spectral class M8.0±0.5,[e][25][26] making it a relatively small and cold star." The repetition of "star" is not up to FAC prose standard. Sandbh (talk) 06:04, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
The penultimate sentence reads, “The star also emits Lyman-alpha radiation and X-rays,[34] but no detectable radio waves.[35]” The end of the third paragraph then says, “The star emits faint radiation at short wavelengths such as x-rays and UV radiation…”. Why the dual mention of X-rays?
Writing screw-up; I've remedied but maybe the wording can be improved. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Why is the temperature of T1 mentioned in the topic sentence of the first paragraph of the lede but not in any of the topic sentences of this Description section?
Because I didn't see a source that could be used to write it in a temperature->spectral type->implications form. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Delrez et al. 2022, p. 21. Sandbh (talk) 06:12, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I see no such information there? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

TRAPPIST-1 is cold enough for condensates to form in its photosphere[h]; these have been detected through the polarization they induce in its radiation during transits of its planets.

Rotation period and age

Measurements of TRAPPIST-1's rotation have yielded a period of 3.3 days; earlier measurements of 1.4 days appear to have been caused by changes in the distribution of starspots.

"Age" needs to be mentioned in the topic sentence.
I don't think you can do that without jerking the flow around by first mentioning rotation period and age, then rotation period, then returning to age? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Activity

My concern remains. Sandbh (talk) 06:12, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
So does my objection. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Numerous photospheric features have been detected on TRAPPIST-1.[50]

This paragraph includes the sentence, “The Kepler and Spitzer Space Telescopes have observed possible bright spots, which may be faculae,[j][52][53] although some of these may be too large to qualify as faculae.[54]” Such repetition is not up to FAC prose standard.
That was my thinking as well, but when it was written without the repetition folks thought that it wasn't clear. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
My concern remains. Sandbh (talk) 06:12, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
So does my objection. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

The star has a strong magnetic field[58] with a mean intensity of about 600 gauss.[l][60]

TRAPPIST-1 loses about 3×10−14 solar masses per year[62] to the stellar wind, a rate which is about 1.5 times that of the Sun.

Planetary system[edit]

TRAPPIST-1 is orbited by seven planets, designated TRAPPIST-1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, and 1h[65] in alphabetic order going out from the star.[o][68]

All of the planets are much closer to their star than Mercury is to the Sun,[73] making the TRAPPIST-1 system very compact.[74]

The inclinations of the orbits relative to the system's ecliptic are less than 0.1 degrees,[79] making TRAPPIST-1 the flattest planetary system in the NASA Exoplanet Archive.[80]

Size and composition

The radii of the planets are estimated to range between 75% and 150% of Earth's radius.[85]

The topic sentence needs to say something about composition.
Again, I don't think you can do this without jerking the flow around. Besides, isn't the header the topic sentence already? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
My concern remains. Relying on the header is lazy prose, not up to FAC standard prose. Sandbh (talk) 06:34, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
So does my objection. And badly flowing sentences honestly are a bigger problem than relying on a header - introducing a section topic is the header's job! Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

The TRAPPIST-1 planets are expected to have compositions that resemble each other[87] as well as Earth.[88]

At 63 words, the second sentence is a too long, “The estimated densities of the planets are lower than Earth's[89] which may imply that their cores are smaller than that of Earth, that they have large amounts of volatile chemicals,[r] that their iron exists in an oxidised form rather than as a core,[91] that their cores includes large amounts of other elements,[92] or that they are rocky planets with less iron than Earth.”
I've split it up a bit, but it needs double checking. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
It still doesn't work, and now includes a spelling mistake. Sandbh (talk) 06:34, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Don't see it, nor a better way to write, other than perhaps a bulleted list? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Resonance

The planets are in orbital resonances;[100] the durations of their orbits have ratios of 8:5, 5:3, 3:2, 3:2, 4:3 and 3:2 between neighbouring planet pairs,[101] and each set of three is in a Laplace resonance.[t][74]

Since the resonances are listed here why are they listed again in the "List of planets" section?
One's a table about planets, the other is prose. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

The closeness of the planets to TRAPPIST-1 results in tidal interactions[107] stronger than those on Earth.[108]

Is this a resonance thing?
No. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
So why is that paragraph in this section? Sandbh (talk) 06:34, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Changed the header. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
This second paragraph has a too long 45 word sentence:
“The mutual interactions of the planets, however, could prevent them from reaching full synchronisation by forcing periodic or episodic full rotations of the planets' surfaces with respect to the star on timescales of several Earth years, which would have important implications for the planets' climates.[111]”
I think it can be split, just need some feedback if by topic (rotation vs climate) or by fact vs explanation and implications. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
That's up to you. Sandbh (talk) 06:34, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Split done, and I repeat "interaction" because otherwise it's not clear what we are talking about. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

The resonances continually excite the eccentricities of the TRAPPIST-1 planets, preventing their orbits from becoming fully circular.

Tidal heating could influence temperatures of the night sides and cold areas where volatiles may be trapped, and gases are expected to accumulate; it would also influence the properties of any subsurface oceans[120] where volcanism and hydrothermal venting[x] could occur.[122]

Is this a resonance thing?
No. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
So why is it mentioned in this section? Sandbh (talk) 06:34, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Why is tidal heating mentioned in paragraph 2 and again in paragraph 4?
To me it seems like it's mentioned in paragraphs 3 and 4? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
That's right. So why is tidal heating mentioned in this section? Sandbh (talk) 06:34, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Answered above, I think. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Skies and impact of stellar light

Because most of TRAPPIST-1's radiation is in the infrared region, there may be very little visible light on the planets' surfaces; Amaury Triaud, one of the system's co-discoverers, said the skies would never be brighter than Earth's sky at sunset[130] and only a little brighter than a night with a full moon.

Does stellar light have an "impact"?
Yes, if by "impact" we mean "effects" which I think is a reasonable use. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I disagree. Sandbh (talk) 06:34, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Do you have a better word, then? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Habitable zone

For a dim star like TRAPPIST-1, the habitable zone[z] is located closer to the star than for the Sun.[137]

Intense extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and X-ray radiation[148] can split water into its component parts of hydrogen and oxygen, and heat the upper atmosphere until they escape from the planet.

Relevance to habitability?
Indeed, as it's hard to have life without an atmosphere or water. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Then its relevance should be explained. Sandbh (talk) 06:34, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Moons

No moons with a size comparable to Earth's have been detected in the TRAPPIST-1 system,[152] and moons are unlikely in such a densely packed planetary system.

Doubling up: moons and moons. Not up to FAC prose standard.

Magnetic effects

The TRAPPIST-1 planets are expected to be within the Alfvén surface of their host star,[157] the area around the star within which any planet would directly magnetically interact with the corona of the star, possibly destabilising any atmosphere the planet has.[158]

Doubling up. Not up to FAC prose standard.
Fixed. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Now it has three mentions of "star". Sandbh (talk) 06:34, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Formation history

The TRAPPIST-1 planets most likely formed further from the star and migrated inwards,[163] although it is possible they formed in their current locations.[164]

The presence of additional bodies and planetesimals early in the system's history would have destabilised the TRAPPIST-1 resonance if the bodies were massive enough.[176]

Resonance with what?
Explained. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Is US English in operation here? Stablized? Sandbh (talk) 06:34, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Due to a combination of high insolation, the greenhouse effect of water vapour atmospheres and remnant heat from the process of planet assembly, the TRAPPIST-1 planets would likely initially have had molten surfaces.

Potential planetary atmospheres[edit]

As of 2020, there is no definitive evidence that any of the TRAPPIST-1 planets have an atmosphere,[ac][182] but atmospheres could be detected in the future.[183]

Doubling up. Not up to FAC prose standard.
Hmm. I see, but if I put in "they" might people think it refers to "planets"? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

The existence of atmospheres around TRAPPIST-1's planets depends on the balance between the amount of atmosphere initially present, its rate of evaporation, and the rate at which it is built back up by meteorite impacts,[74] incoming material from a protoplanetary disk,[188] and outgassing and volcanic activity.[189]

If the planets are tidally locked to TRAPPIST-1, surfaces that permanently face away from the star can cool sufficiently for any atmosphere to freeze out on the night side.[193]

Numerical modelling and observations constrain the properties of hypothetical atmospheres around TRAPPIST-1 planets:[163]

The topic sentence needs to say, in summary form, what the following six dot points say.
My concern remains. Sandbh (talk) 06:39, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
It does - "hypothetical atmospheres". Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Theoretical modelling by Krissansen-Totton and Fortney (2022) suggests the inner planets most likely have, if any, oxygen-and-CO2-rich atmospheres.[213]

Stability

The emission of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation by a star has an important influence on the stability of its planets' atmospheres, their composition and the habitability of their surfaces.[216] 

Is this the case for T1?
Yes. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
So why not say so? Sandbh (talk) 06:39, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Why specify? It's a general fact and this is an article about a star. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

TRAPPIST-1 is moderately to highly active,[25] and this may be an additional difficulty for the persistence of atmospheres and water on the planets:

Active in what sense? The topic sentence needs to say, in summary form, what the following three dot points say.
Put in an explanation. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

The star's history also influences the atmospheres of its planets.[231]

In what way?
As explained in the following sentences. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Laziness and not up to FAC prose standard. The rest of the paragraph is only about the impact of radiation, so why not flag this in the topic sentence? Sandbh (talk) 06:39, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Because I don't think that is necessary right there. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
List of planets[edit]

TRAPPIST-1b has an average distance from its star of 0.0115 astronomical units (1,720,000 km)[233] and orbits same in 1.51 Earth days. It is expected to be tidally locked to the star.

What is its semi-major axis?
It's in the link? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

TRAPPIST-1c has a semi-major axis of 0.0158 AU (2,360,000 km)[233] and orbits its star every 2.42 Earth days.

Is it tidally locked?

TRAPPIST-1d has a semi-major axis of 0.022 AU (3,300,000 km) and an orbital period of 4.05 Earth days.

ditto

TRAPPIST-1e has a semi-major axis of 0.029 AU (4,300,000 km)[233] and orbits its star every 6.10 Earth days.[245]

ditto

TRAPPIST-1f has a semi-major axis of 0.038 AU (5,700,000 km)[233] and orbits its star every 9.21 Earth days.[245]

ditto

TRAPPIST-1g has a semi-major axis of 0.047 AU (7,000,000 km)[233] and orbits its star every 12.4 Earth days.[245]

ditto

TRAPPIST-1h has a semi-major axis of 0.062 astronomical units (9,300,000 km); it is the system's least massive known planet[233] and orbits its star every 18.9 Earth days.[245]

Which is the most massive?
We don't know for certain if any of the planets are tidally locked. As for most massive, probably TRAPPIST-1b but I think in this system we know more of minimum masses than maximum ones. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
So why is tidal locking mentioned for 1b and 1c? As for mass, how is that surface gravity is known but not mass? Sandbh (talk) 06:43, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Because it is more certain for these than for the more distant planets. Do you want to merge the tables? The other one contains the mass. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
"For masses, ChatGPT advises as follows:
Based on the available data as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, here are the estimated masses of the planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system:
TRAPPIST-1b: Approximately 1.017 Earth masses
TRAPPIST-1c: Approximately 1.156 Earth masses
TRAPPIST-1d: Approximately 0.297 Earth masses
TRAPPIST-1e: Approximately 0.772 Earth masses
TRAPPIST-1f: Approximately 0.934 Earth masses
TRAPPIST-1g: Approximately 1.148 Earth masses
TRAPPIST-1h: Approximately 0.331 Earth masses
Please note that these mass estimates are subject to revision as new observations and improved techniques provide more accurate measurements. It is always recommended to refer to the latest scientific research for the most up-to-date information on the TRAPPIST-1 system." Sandbh (talk) 06:53, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Possible life[edit]

Life may be possible in the TRAPPIST-1 system, and the star's planets are considered a promising target for its detection.[220]

Why is this content here, separated out from the Habitable zone subsection in the Planetary system section?
Because in the context of exoplanets, "habitable zone" specifically refers to surface temperature, which gets treated by itself. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
My concern remains. Sandbh (talk) 06:44, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
And so does my reason, sorry. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Research history and reception[edit]

TRAPPIST-1 was discovered in 1999[ao] by astronomer John Gizis and colleagues[279] during a survey of Two Micron All-Sky Survey data for the identification of close-by ultra-cool dwarf stars.[280][282]

TRAPPIST's planetary system was discovered by a team led by Michaël Gillon, a Belgian astronomer[287] at the University of Liege,[15] in 2016[73] during observations made at La Silla Observatory, Chile,[220][288] using the TRAPPIST telescope; the system's discovery was based on anomalies in the light curves[aq] measured by the telescope in 2015.

The observations of TRAPPIST-1 are considered among the most important research findings of the Spitzer Space Telescope.[290]

Why?

Public reaction and cultural impact

The discovery of the TRAPPIST-1 planets drew widespread attention in major world newspapers, social media, streaming television and websites.[293][294]

Why such widespread attention?
Chat GPT advises:
"Earth-sized planets: The TRAPPIST-1 system is notable because it contains seven planets that are roughly the size of Earth. The prospect of finding Earth-sized planets is exciting because it raises the possibility of habitable environments and the potential for extraterrestrial life.
Habitable zone: Several of the TRAPPIST-1 planets orbit within the star's habitable zone, also known as the Goldilocks zone. This is the region around a star where conditions may be just right for the presence of liquid water, a crucial ingredient for life as we know it. The presence of potentially habitable planets generated immense interest and speculation about the possibility of finding life beyond Earth.
Proximity: The TRAPPIST-1 system is relatively close to Earth, at a distance of approximately 39 light-years. While still incredibly far away, this proximity in astronomical terms made the system more accessible for future observations and potential follow-up studies.
Multi-planet system: The fact that the TRAPPIST-1 system contains seven planets orbiting the same star is remarkable. Multi-planet systems provide researchers with a unique opportunity to study planetary formation and dynamics, as well as the potential for complex interactions among the planets.
Potential for follow-up observations: The discovery of the TRAPPIST-1 planets generated excitement because it presented an opportunity for further scientific investigation. Astronomers and researchers hoped to use more advanced telescopes and observational techniques to gather additional data on these planets, including their atmospheres and potential signs of life.
Public interest in exoplanets: Over the years, there has been a growing interest among the general public in the search for exoplanets (planets orbiting stars outside our solar system). The TRAPPIST-1 discovery captured the public's imagination and fascination, leading to extensive coverage in major newspapers, social media platforms, streaming television, and websites.
The combination of these factors—Earth-sized planets, potential habitability, proximity, a multi-planet system, potential for follow-up observations, and public interest—contributed to the widespread attention and coverage the TRAPPIST-1 discovery received." Sandbh (talk) 06:54, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Exoplanets are often featured in science-fiction works; books, comics and video games have featured the TRAPPIST-1 system, the earliest being The Terminator, a short story by Swiss author Laurence Suhner published in the academic journal that announced the system's discovery.[303]

Scientific importance

TRAPPIST-1 has drawn intense scientific interest.[182]

Why?

The role EU funding played in the discovery of TRAPPIST-1 has been cited as an example of the importance of EU projects,[292] and the involvement of a Moroccan observatory as an indication of the Arab world's role in science.

Exploration

TRAPPIST-1 is too distant from Earth to be reached by humans with current or expected technology.[326]

Oppose, General comment[edit]

"Water" is mentioned so many times in the article (60) that I found it hard to keep track of its relevance.

--- Sandbh (talk) 04:59, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Noting, this oppose was entered as a heading on July 5, over a June 10 sig. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 13:16, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Dealt with some things. On why the star is so important: I dunno, sorry. Probably because of the multiplicity. On the topic sentence question, I think you mean a lead-like sentence in every section explaining what it is about? If so, I don't think that's standard in any article - it would be the header's job and you can't easily source such a sentence. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:19, 10 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Sandbh ? Gog the Mild (talk) 17:52, 27 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Thanks Gog the Mild. Real life obligations will delay my response but I will get around to it. Sandbh (talk) 07:17, 29 June 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Am now looking and hope to be able to spend up to a few hours on it, if needs be. Sandbh (talk) 05:19, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Re a lead-like sentence in every section, I am only referring to a lead-like sentence at the start of every paragraph i.e. the topic sentence, so that I can follow the gist or logic of the article just by reading its topic sentences. That's how paragraphs work, to help the reader. Headers are fine to give the article an overarching structure, but they don't stand-in for topic sentences. Sandbh (talk) 06:59, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Oppose, for now (reluctantly), in light of the article having so many "FAC prose standard" shortcomings, and several other deficiencies. As currently written I feel it does not yet exemplify Wikipedia's *very best* work. I note prose concerns were raised at FAC1 and FAC2. My reluctant qualifier refers to there being insufficient science-based FA's. Sandbh (talk) 07:27, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

I don't think that a lead sentence at a paragraph is really a requirement of a FA and it's still an invitation to OR. And to be honest, I think the prose concerns from the previous FACses were largely addressed during the stage before this FAC. I am not sure what else there is to do. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 10:50, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
OK, half-nevermind on the above. I didn't notice that you had put more comments. Still, I think most of the actionable ones are done, and with many I think your proposed changes would reduce the quality of the text. So I must disagree with many. I've seen the ChatGPT proposal but some of it borders on OR or is rather imprecise. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I've spent about two hours reading through the article (inc. notes and references) and have noticed about 175 items needing a closer look. I don't know yet if I'll post further comments here or on the talk page. I now intend to review my earlier comments and strike out those that have been addressed. Sandbh (talk) 02:29, 26 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
About 75 of the 175 items remain of concern to me in the context that:
  • FA's are supposed to exemplify Wikipedia's **very best** work; and
  • criterion 1a namely "Its prose is engaging and of a professional standard".
I intend to write up these concerns tomorrow. Sandbh (talk) 07:13, 26 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Just my opinion, but it's probably best to enumerate such things on the talk page, the FAC main page is already quite long. However, please don't restate the article text while doing so; mixing in comments with the text they pertain to makes it hard to read. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:38, 26 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Jo-Jo Eumerus: I feel the article is within reach of FA prose standard, subject to some copy editing which I've begun. I've so far done the lede, and Discovery and naming sections. I intend to spend the rest of the afternoon on copy editing.

I've completed copy editing up to the end of section 3 Planetary system. Sandbh (talk) 13:17, 27 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Now done up to the end of section 4 List of planets. Next step is to look at a single table rather than two in sections 3 and 4. Sandbh (talk) 13:41, 27 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I've done some modifications, for reasons given in the summaries. In the "Resonance and tides" section, did you merely reshuffle sentences or was there a bigger rewrite? Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 17:41, 27 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • I expect your modifications will be OK.
  • I'll check the "Resonance and tides" section later.
There was reshuffling, copy-editing and trimming. Sandbh (talk) 04:37, 29 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • I've now replaced the two tables in sections 3 and 4, with one consolidated table in section 4. Sandbh (talk) 12:57, 28 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I've finished copy-editing. I believe there are 25 outstanding items where I'll need your technical advice and support. I'll post these to the talk page of this FAC page. Sandbh (talk) 01:41, 29 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I've placed the list of o/s items on the talk page. Sandbh (talk) 02:26, 29 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Actioned them, but I've noticed that you removed the margins of error when merging the tables. Please don't do that; it gives a misleading impression about the accuracy of these figures. Also, the footnotes added in that edit are now completely unsourced. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 10:06, 29 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I've added a note about margins of error just underneath the table heading. For sources, these were included with the legend just underneath the table. Sandbh (talk) 06:07, 31 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I don't think this solves the issue, and to be honest I think the margins of error should remain in the table. Here the need for accuracy outweighs clutter problems, as even scientists sometimes come to bogus conclusions by taking values while ignoring the MoE. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 09:13, 31 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
@Jo-Jo Eumerus: Noted. I intend to have a look at this shortly (later this afternoon my time). Sandbh (talk) 02:23, 1 September 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I moved the MoE back into the table. All columns remain sortable. Sandbh (talk) 06:09, 1 September 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

I expect the only things left after that will be some technical issues where I'll need your help.

BTW the flow of the article now appears logical with the exception of the two property tables, which is something I intend to address during copy editing.

Gog the Mild: I seek your indulgence to leave the article on the FAC list while I complete my ce and Jo-Jo Eumerus and I tackle any finally o/s technical issues. I anticipate being able to support the article thereafter. Sandbh (talk) 03:13, 27 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Kusma: support[edit]

Saw this on Urgents, planning to review, but it might not happen until the weekend. —Kusma (talk) 22:39, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Further sections later! —Kusma (talk) 22:10, 6 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Second pass at lead section:

Overall a very interesting read, worth more detailed scrutiny by others instead of timing out. I am a bit concerned by the imbalance between study of the star and scientific speculation about its planets in the article, and would suggest another look at images and their captions. And of course, some smaller things as mentioned above need to be looked at. —Kusma (talk) 09:56, 9 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

To summarise: we disagree about the structural question whether the discovery and naming section should come much earlier, and about the beginning of the "List of planets" section (I think there should be text before the table, and I am not too happy about the table itself or the wide image). Other than these disagreements, this is an excellent article worthy of support; I would be happy to hear other opinions and will gladly shut up about these issues when it turns out I am the only one who thinks this way. —Kusma (talk) 20:58, 11 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Just to be clear, my point about the table isn't that I disagree with merging the tables. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 06:13, 12 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Right. So our only major disagreement left is the sorting of the sections, which I will also shut up about if most other people think it is better the way it is. —Kusma (talk) 16:49, 13 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Discussion[edit]

@WP:FAC coordinators: I have seen elsewhere that Sandbh strongly believes that there should be a topic sentence for each paragraph (so the reader can skim paragraphs for topic sentences and get the gist); I agree that may be generally and even a highly useful style of writing outside of Wikipedia, on Wikipedia, it is quite often an invitation to original research, which is and can be a much bigger problem. (This problem is present throughout the FAs of one now-deceased but formerly prolific FA writer.). While I appreciate Sandbh's intent, I feel it not helpful here, and encourage FAC Coords to take personal preferences into account relative to FA criteria. It should also be noted how damaging it is to fill a FAC page with personal preferences in terms of discouraging further reviews from others; this kind of lengthy commentary did not belong sitting at FAC for over a month, discouraging other reviews, and should have been placed on article talk. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 13:10, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Separately, noting that this contrary-to-FAC instructions system in use lately, forcing to sub-headers which are explicitly discouraged by the FAC instructions, results in things like an oppose registered on July 5 over a June 10 commentary which sat on this page for almost a month without the original editor returning to strike or move addressed comments. This is misuse of this page that has prejudiced the article. If a reviewer does not return to strike and remove addressed comments for almost a month, FAC Coords should be moving them off the page so the FAC can proceed. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 13:16, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Hi SandyGeorgia and thanks for the input. Re the first part of your comments, I think that you will find that the coordinators are on pretty much the same page as you re personal preferences, bearing in mind that that one editor's personal preference may be another's strict adherence to policy and/or FA criteria. Given that I gave the prose of this article a (rough and ready) copy edit immediately prior to its nomination you can guess where I sit re this specific case.
Re your other comments, it may well be that negative comments perceived as personal preferences are likely to generate more input from experienced reviewers rather than discourage them. In any event, coordinators are cautious about being seen as dismissive of critical comments, whether or not they personally feel that the criticism amounts to personal preference. (Again, note that I copy edited the prose immediately prior to nomination.) Few editors oppose at FAC lightly and given that coordinators will be taking them strongly into account when closing ("the main thrust of the process is to generate and resolve critical comments in relation to the criteria, and ... such resolution is given considerably more weight than declarations of support") we want to advertise such critical comments, so that other editors can agree or otherwise with them.
And the coordinators are of course perfectly capable of deciding that a nomination has a consensus to promote in spite of an open and well reasoned Oppose. You probably noted me doing just that three days ago.
I have added this to Urgents.
And thanks again for the thoughts above, which I hope that editors considering reviewing will take on board. Gog the Mild (talk) 13:54, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Thanks, Gog; I'm concerned that the voluminous commentary sitting here with no response for almost a month kept other reviewers from digging in, and I hope we will see additional review now. It seems unjust that this article would need to go for a fourth FAC after so much considerable review, including at PR. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 13:57, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
PS, in Sandbh's defense, I should add that in my own writing, I have tried to take their concern about organizing paragraphs around topic sentences on board as long as those topic sentences can be cited. In the writing of the other editor I mentioned, the sources are not available online, and in almost every case, those articles have had to be defeatured because no one has been able to sort whether these "topic sentence summaries" are original research or can be cited. I'd not like to see that problem introduced here, and agree with Jo-Jo for refusing to go there. That is, I believe Jo-Jo has reasonably addressed everything that should be addressed in Sandbh's oppose. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 14:09, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
The nominator may wish to consider placing a polite neutrally phrased request on the talk pages of a few of the more frequent FAC reviewers or on the talk pages of relevant Wikiprojects, or of editors they know are interested in the topic, or who have contributed at PR, or reviewed at previous FACs, or edited the article, which may help attract further reviewers. Gog the Mild (talk) 14:14, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
My contribution, but I feel awkward about that in spite of its neutrality, because this new system of using headings introduces POV (the first thing a new reviewer will see is my support in a bold heading). SandyGeorgia (Talk) 14:34, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
During the FAC process of one article that I nominated a reviewer used the FAC talk page 'due to length' which was very thoughtful. The talk page of this FAC has not been used so far, surely it would be fair for co-ords to move lengthy comments to an FAC talk page? Nimbus (Cumulus nimbus floats by) 14:42, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
YES. Even more so when the reviewer is not striking comments that have been addressed. It is not unreasonable to expect the reviewer who is opposing to have the voluminous post moved to talk, and to ask them to resummarize anything they feel is still outstanding. The placement of this amount of text on a FAC page, where immediate changes were not responded to for almost a month, is not how the FAC process should be used and introduced unjust prejudice to the article. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 16:23, 5 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Support from Anarchyte[edit]

Looking to become more familiar with the FA process, so happy to review this (I've read #Discussion). Forgive me if I make any glaring rookie mistakes. Note that I have no experience with astronomy, so this review is purely "how does an outsider perceive this article?" I understand reviews are needed urgently, so I'll start tomorrow and finish within the next couple of days. Anarchyte (talk) 12:24, 6 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Anarchyte that's a valid, useful, and helpful kind of review! If you are unsure about the FA standards, one thing you might do is put your initial commentary at Wikipedia talk:Featured article candidates/TRAPPIST-1/archive3#Comments from Anarchyte, or on article talk, and then summarize your impression (support, oppose, comments, all concerns resolved, etc.) back to this page. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 13:58, 6 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Thank you for the note, SandyGeorgia. I've written a couple of FAs and reviewed a few in the past, but I've been meaning to devote more time to writing articles so what better way than to increase participation in the FA process? I included the mention of inexperience as a note that I might be unaware of the subject-specific or obscure MOS requirements that wouldn't have mattered for what I've written. Anarchyte (talk) 14:14, 6 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
General comments
Lead
Description

Will continue later. Anarchyte (talk) 06:06, 7 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Planetary system (through to Skies and impact of stellar light)

Anarchyte (talk) 13:13, 7 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

General comments
Planetary system (continued)
Potential planetary atmospheres
List of planets

That's all from me. Anarchyte (talk) 03:01, 9 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Thanks for looking over them Jo-Jo Eumerus. I've replied above. Anarchyte (talk) 08:33, 10 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

To summarise, all of my prose and general concerns have been addressed. The only issue I have left is the arrangement of the "List of planets" section within the article, but I'm happy to let that go if other reviewers disagree with me. Anarchyte (talk) 16:25, 15 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Jo-Jo Eumerus ? Gog the Mild (talk) 13:44, 20 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I believe Anarchyte's section issue is the same as the one mentioned by Kusma, but I'll check. Regarding Sandbh's concerns, I've resolved some, but for the others, I have objections to the proposed changes. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 19:06, 20 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
I think the section issues are slightly different. Anarchyte seems to say "List of planets" should be moved up before "Potential planetary atmospheres"; I had not thought of that but agree it would be a slight improvement. My point is that I would like to see the first two or three paragraphs of "Research history and reception" moved right after the lead section as "Discovery and naming", which would make this article's structure more similar to other astronomy FAs. You could just try the suggested changes, see what the result is like, and then revert again if you truly hate it? Similar to what Anarchyte said, I would be happy to hear the opinion of other people and would not mind being overruled by reviewer consensus. —Kusma (talk) 20:27, 20 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
You know, yeah, it's an improvement. I've enacted Anarchyte's proposed change. I've tried Kusma's change; how does it look?

Also, while more of a personal issue, but I'd love being able to remove that blob of markup that we are using to circumvent the fact that Template:Starbox begin links the same pages repeatedly. That sounds like a maintenance/editability issue in the making. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 06:05, 21 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

I like it, and have put a "support" in my section header. —Kusma (talk) 09:20, 21 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Support. Anarchyte (talk) 14:03, 21 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

HF- support[edit]

Will review this one soon. Because this FAC is already exceeding my limits to follow easily due to length/poor discussion layout, I plan on leaving any trivial comments at Wikipedia talk:Featured article candidates/TRAPPIST-1/archive3 and posting only major ones that would noteworthy for the non-recused coords and other reviewers here, unless someone objects to that. Hog Farm Talk 23:31, 9 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Awesome! Jo-Jo and HF, please ping me for a new look when HF is done, as there has now been considerable useful commentary since my support. FYI, I hate the first sentence in the new lead ("noted for" is cliche). SandyGeorgia (Talk) 14:43, 11 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Ready for 'potential planetary atmospheres'; hope to be back tomorrow. Hog Farm Talk 01:52, 12 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Fixed most of this, but I can't tell what the publisher for the last item is. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 06:11, 13 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
@Jo-Jo Eumerus: - I think it's the NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program; does that seem right? Hog Farm Talk 01:54, 14 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Done. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:05, 14 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

I think that's all from me for the first pass. Hog Farm Talk 04:25, 13 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

HF, did you still want to take a second look? Cheers, Ian Rose (talk) 13:20, 27 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
No, I'm comfortable supporting. Hog Farm Talk 02:49, 28 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Image review - pass[edit]

I am struggling to find it. What does it say? Gog the Mild (talk) 17:13, 23 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
You can see it in source mode or using WP:POP. The alt text given is "Distances between TRAPPIST-1 planets are roughly comparable with Earth-Moon distances". —Kusma (talk) 17:51, 23 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Request for update[edit]

@WP:FAC coordinators: Asking where we are at this. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 07:27, 2 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

We are waiting for it to receive and pass a source review. When/if that happens, one of us will go through with a view to closing it one way or the other. Gog the Mild (talk) 13:12, 2 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
It has been suggested that the source review be split between several reviewers. I will start working back through the Reception and scientific importance section. I'm thinking we can have source review sections for each reviewer, stating which section or whatever area of the article they intend to cover. I've started a section below. Coordinators please refactor as necessary for clarity and sanity! ---- Mirokado (talk) 18:53, 8 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Source review[edit]

Source review from Mirokado[edit]

Working backwards through §Reception and scientific importance. Discussion ongoing about what is needed. -- Mirokado (talk) 21:03, 8 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

I will start by checking the citation links (bullet 3 in the discussion). -- Mirokado (talk) 13:48, 9 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

I am making a few trivial changes, so far related to source checking, en passant:

-- Mirokado (talk) 18:51, 9 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

I have now checked all the citations down to Meadows et al. where JBL took over. I may have a few more comments since I took some notes on the way. I was checking the citations themselves for correctness, completeness and consistency. They all correspond to reliable sources, but I have not been checking how well they support the article content in detail. -- Mirokado (talk) 01:38, 14 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Pass for citation links, formatting and the reliability of the sources. I will add any comments about the use of the citations and content coverage below. -- Mirokado (talk)

Source review from JayBeeEll[edit]

I am doing the same thing as Mirokado, starting from the middle (Meadows et al.) and working my way down. --JBL (talk) 23:24, 9 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

More below. I've made it to the end (starting from Meadows). --JBL (talk) 17:51, 11 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Am I supposed to declare a final judgement? I think this article is a pass on the sourcing requirements, at least as far as the portion of the sources I checked. --JBL (talk) 20:13, 23 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

(edit conflict) Very few articles get a 100% check on sourcing, virtually none that aren't by first-time nominators. The efforts by JBL and Mirokado above constitute a thorough check of the sourcing IMO and I am going to accept their two passes as an overall pass on the source review. Gog the Mild (talk) 21:01, 23 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

SC[edit]

Support by Sandbh[edit]

@Jo-Jo Eumerus and Gog the Mild: All of my concerns have now been addressed. Sandbh (talk) 02:39, 2 September 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Coord note[edit]

Thanks all, it appears critical comments are now resolved. I do however share SandyGeorgia's distaste for "noted for" in the opening sentence -- anything in WP should be notable. I see that this version six months ago didn't require the phrase; is there any reason we shouldn't return to that, minus "in the constellation Aquarius", which is currently in the second sentence? Cheers, Ian Rose (talk) 19:17, 2 September 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

OK, removed it. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 21:24, 2 September 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]
The above discussion is preserved as an archive. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this page.
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