A Science Alert System for the Gaia Astrometric Space Mission
Abstract
The Gaia Astrometric Space Mission, scheduled for launch in 2011, will revolutionize Galactic astronomy by measuring stellar positions and motions at the precision level of micro arcseconds. Gaia will scan the entire sky with a predefined spin and precession and observe approximately 1 billion stars down to a limiting magnitude of V = 20. In addition, the mission has the exciting potential to discover a huge number of transient events. However, due to its fixed observing pattern, the Gaia satellite will be unable to follow or unambiguously classify transient events. An essential ingredient of the project will thus be how to deal with such discoveries and alert the international astrophysical community about their occurrence in an efficient manner. I discuss several ways to enhance the science alert system based on experience from microlensing surveys. I stress the role of pre-launch variability surveys and post-lunch follow-up facilities to boost the scientific return from the Gaia mission.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004AAS...20518008P