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Back Gaia - ESA's Galactic Census

Gaia - ESA's Galactic Census

Publication date: 16 June 2012

Journal: ESA Brochure
Volume: BR-269
Page: 1-16
Year: 2012

Copyright: ESA

Cataloguing the night sky is an essential part of astronomy. Before astronomers can investigate a celestial object, they must know where to find it. Without this knowledge, astronomers would wander helplessly in what Galileo once termed a 'dark labyrinth'.

ESA's Gaia mission will create a detailed map of this labyrinth, finding clues to the origin, structure and evolution of our home galaxy, the Milky Way.

Contents:

  • The discovery machine
  • Stars as individuals and collectives
  • Our Solar System and others
  • How does Gaia work?
  • Building Gaia
  • Launch
  • The flood of data

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Last Update: Sep 1, 2019 8:59:13 AM
22-Jan-2026 06:35 UT

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