30 March 2006Birmingham workshop1 The Gaia Mission A stereoscopic census of our Galaxy

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop2 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

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop3 How can this be done? One large survey of all 10 9 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

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop4 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

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop5 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

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop6 Planet detection

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop7 Double-star detections

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop8 Observational Isochrones

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop9 The SMC

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop10

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop11 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

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop12 Catalogue Schedule Acceptance Technology Development Design, Build, Test Launch Observations Analysis Early Data Concept & Technology Study ESA SCI 2000(4) Re-Assessment: Ariane  Soyuz To L2 Start of Phase B2

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop13 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

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop14 The size of the job We expect of order observations Calibration is in first instance towards an internally defined system Extensive iterations required in astrometry, photometry and radial velocities Processing requirements of order observations per second

30 March 2006Birmingham workshop15 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