Editorial standards

This page explains how articles on Living Notes are researched, written, checked and corrected.

Sourcing

Articles rely on primary and authoritative sources wherever possible: space agencies, public health bodies, research institutions and peer-reviewed papers. News outlets and encyclopedias are used for context and are listed alongside the rest. Every article ends with a numbered reference list that gives the publisher, the page title, the date shown on the page where one is shown, the address, and the date the page was accessed.

How articles are made

AI tools assist with research, outlining and drafting. Each statement is checked against the sources cited for it, and content is edited by a human before publication. The publisher is responsible for accuracy.

When sources disagree

Reputable sources sometimes give different numbers or dates. In those cases the article says so, and a note beneath the references explains the difference instead of choosing one figure silently.

Updates

Articles that have been revised show an Updated date. Figures that change over time, such as spacecraft distances, are rechecked from time to time and may lag the latest published value.

Corrections

Errors are corrected promptly, and material corrections are noted on the article. To report one, use the Contact page and include the article title and the statement in question.

Illustrations

Illustrations are original artwork created for this site. They are schematic, are not to scale, and are not photographs of the objects shown.

Health information

Health articles summarize guidance and facts published by public health agencies. They are general information, not medical advice, and have not been reviewed by a medical professional. Anyone with a health concern should speak with a doctor or pharmacist.

Independence

If advertising or affiliate relationships are introduced, they will be clearly labelled and will not influence what is published.