GALExtin: an alternative online tool to determine the interstellar extinction in the Milky Way
Abstract
Estimates of interstellar extinction are essential in a broad range of astronomical research. In the last decades, several maps and models of the large-scale interstellar extinction in the Galaxy have been published. However, these maps and models have been developed in different programming languages, with different user interfaces and input/output formats, which makes using and comparing results from these maps and models difficult. To address this issue, we have developed a tool called GALExtin (http://www.galextin.org), which estimates interstellar extinction based on both available 3D models/maps and 2D maps. The user only needs to provide a list with coordinates (and distance) and to choose a model/map. GALExtin will then provide an output list with extinction estimates. It can be implemented in any other portal or model that requires interstellar extinction estimates. Here, a general overview of GALExtin is presented, along with its capabilities, validation, performance and some results.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- December 2021
- DOI:
- 10.1093/mnras/stab2248
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2108.00561
- Bibcode:
- 2021MNRAS.508.1788A
- Keywords:
-
- methods: miscellaneous;
- astronomical data bases: miscellaneous;
- virtual observatory tools;
- software: development;
- dust;
- extinction;
- ISM: structure;
- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies
- E-Print:
- 12 pages, 2 figures