Gaia Data Release scenario

On this webpage, the target release scenario is presented, based on the current status of processing.

Photometric and new asteroid science alerts are already being issued.

In general, individual epoch observations and transits will be released only with the final catalogue. However, when variable star solutions, etc. are released, relevant subsets of epoch data may also be released. Additionally, where the release of epoch data is of immediate scientific interest, such release will be made on an individual source-by-source basis through the science alerts.

After production of the catalogue for release, a validation exercise will be executed. The final, detailed release contents will be decided on only after completion of the validation work.

 

First release: 14 September 2016

  

 

Gaia DR1 contents

Gaia DR1 overview page

 
 

Second release: 25 April 2018

  

 

Gaia DR2 contents

Gaia DR2 overview page

 

Third release: Split into an early Gaia EDR3: Q3 2020 and Gaia DR3: H2 2021
 

 

The Gaia EDR3 catalogue is expected in the third quarter of 2020 and will be consisting of:

  • Improved astrometry (positions, parallaxes, proper motions)
  • Improved photometry (integrated G, GBP, GRP)

 

The Gaia DR3 catalogue is expected in the second half of 2021 and will be consisting of:

  • Gaia EDR3 contents (see above)
  • Object classification and astrophysical parameters, together with BP/RP spectra and/or RVS spectra they are based on, for spectroscopically and (spectro-)photometrically well-behaved objects.
  • Mean radial velocities for stars with available atmospheric-parameter estimates.
  • Variable-star classifications together with the epoch photometry used for the stars.
  • Solar-system results with preliminary orbital solutions and individual epoch observations.
  • Non-single stars.
  • Quasars and Extended Objects results
  • An additional data set, called the Gaia Andromeda Photometric Survey (GAPS), consisting of the photometric time series for *all* sources located in a 5.5 degree radius field centred on the Andromeda galaxy.

 

References:
 

Full release for the nominal mission: TBD
 

 

The catalogue will be consisting of:

  • Full astrometric, photometric, and radial-velocity catalogues.
  • All available variable-star and non-single-star solutions.
  • Source classifications (probabilities) plus multiple astrophysical parameters (derived from BP/RP, RVS, and astrometry) for stars, unresolved binaries, galaxies, and quasars. Some parameters may not be available for faint(er) stars.
  • An exo-planet list.
  • All epoch and transit data for all sources.

 

Pending further approvals of mission extensions additional release(s) will take place (currently extension until the end of 2020 and indicative approval until the end of 2022 have been approved).