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The Gaia Mission

The Gaia Mission. A stereoscopic census of our Galaxy. Aims of the mission. To observe the 6D phase-space map of our galaxy with sufficient accuracy to enable the first detailed reconstruction of its history

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The Gaia Mission

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  1. The Gaia Mission A stereoscopic census of our Galaxy Birmingham workshop

  2. Aims of the mission • To observe the 6D phase-space map of our galaxy with sufficient accuracy to enable the first detailed reconstruction of its history • Positions and kinematics of objects to distances of several tens of kpc need to be studied to enable this: parallaxes, proper motions and radial velocities required • Classification of each object from photometry Birmingham workshop

  3. How can this be done? • One large survey of all 109 stars brighter than V=20, over 5 to 6 years, covering each object on average about 80 times, providing: • Astrometry, using the Hipparcos principle • Photometry, using dispersion spectra • Radial velocities, medium-resolution spectrograph Birmingham workshop

  4. The payload • Telescope • 35-m focal length telescope with two apertures, folded up in a 3m diameter satellite • Focal plane • 0.5 square meter covered with 103 CCDs • Operating in TDI mode (Time-delayed integration), following images passing over the CCDs Birmingham workshop

  5. Scientific potential • Solar system: census of smaller bodies • Nearby stars: Detection of planets • Star clusters: observational isochrones • Galactic structure: history of the galaxy • Distances globular clusters, LMC & SMC • Fundamental physics: reference frames Birmingham workshop

  6. Planet detection Birmingham workshop

  7. Double-star detections Birmingham workshop

  8. ObservationalIsochrones Birmingham workshop

  9. The SMC Birmingham workshop

  10. Birmingham workshop

  11. The schedule • Phase B2 has started • Phase C will start end 2006 • Launch scheduled for end 2011 • Operations at L2 • Mission duration 5 to 6 years • Final mission products around 2020 Birmingham workshop

  12. Schedule 2020 2004 2008 2016 2000 2012 Concept & Technology Study ESA SCI 2000(4) Acceptance Re-Assessment: Ariane  Soyuz Technology Development Design, Build, Test Launch Start of Phase B2 To L2 Observations Analysis Birmingham workshop Catalogue Early Data

  13. The data processing • The Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium is in the process of being created • Consists of 8, relatively independent, coordination units, assigned to specific tasks • 3 data processing, 3 data analysis, and 2 support units • DPAC executive for coordination and planning of activities Birmingham workshop

  14. The size of the job • We expect of order 1012 observations • Calibration is in first instance towards an internally defined system • Extensive iterations required in astrometry, photometry and radial velocities • Processing requirements of order 100000 observations per second Birmingham workshop

  15. UK involvement • Photometric data processing • Software developments and implementation • Cambridge, Leicester, Edinburgh • Radial velocity data processing • Software developments • MSSL • Gaia Science Team • Floor van Leeuwen, IoA Cambridge • Mark Cropper, MSSL • Industry: E2V will manufacture all CCDs Birmingham workshop

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