2021 | L. Eyer, B. Holl, D. Pourbaix, N. Mowlavi, C. Siopis, F. Barblan, D. W. Evans and P. North
The Gaia mission, a cornerstone project of the European Space Agency, aims to survey the entire sky and observe over 1 billion objects brighter than magnitude \( V \sim 20 \). The mission, scheduled for launch in 2013, will provide astrometric, photometric, and spectroscopic measurements, offering unprecedented insights into the Galaxy and its components. Gaia's instruments include an astrometric field, spectro-photometry, and a Radial Velocity Spectrometer (RVS). The mission is expected to last five years with a possible one-year extension, and the final results are anticipated in 2021-2022.
The data processing and analysis are managed by the Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC), which includes over 400 active members. DPAC is divided into Coordination Units (CUs) that handle specific tasks such as astrometric reduction, photometric reduction, and variability characterization. The mission will produce five major releases of data, with the first release expected in 2017, focusing on binary stars.
Binary stars, particularly eclipsing binaries, will be a significant focus of the mission. Simulations estimate that Gaia will detect tens of millions of binary stars, providing valuable statistical descriptions and global properties of these systems. The processing of eclipsing binaries involves multiple steps, including calibration, variability detection, characterization, classification, and specific object studies. Gaia's all-sky survey and multi-epoch nature will enable the systematic detection, characterization, and classification of variable objects, making it an exceptional resource for astrophysical research.The Gaia mission, a cornerstone project of the European Space Agency, aims to survey the entire sky and observe over 1 billion objects brighter than magnitude \( V \sim 20 \). The mission, scheduled for launch in 2013, will provide astrometric, photometric, and spectroscopic measurements, offering unprecedented insights into the Galaxy and its components. Gaia's instruments include an astrometric field, spectro-photometry, and a Radial Velocity Spectrometer (RVS). The mission is expected to last five years with a possible one-year extension, and the final results are anticipated in 2021-2022.
The data processing and analysis are managed by the Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC), which includes over 400 active members. DPAC is divided into Coordination Units (CUs) that handle specific tasks such as astrometric reduction, photometric reduction, and variability characterization. The mission will produce five major releases of data, with the first release expected in 2017, focusing on binary stars.
Binary stars, particularly eclipsing binaries, will be a significant focus of the mission. Simulations estimate that Gaia will detect tens of millions of binary stars, providing valuable statistical descriptions and global properties of these systems. The processing of eclipsing binaries involves multiple steps, including calibration, variability detection, characterization, classification, and specific object studies. Gaia's all-sky survey and multi-epoch nature will enable the systematic detection, characterization, and classification of variable objects, making it an exceptional resource for astrophysical research.