[en] Context. We present the early installment of the third Gaia data release, Gaia EDR3, consisting of astrometry and photometry for 1.8 billion sources brighter than magnitude 21, complemented with the list of radial velocities from Gaia DR2. <BR /> Aims: A summary of the contents of Gaia EDR3 is presented, accompanied by a discussion on the differences with respect to Gaia DR2 and an overview of the main limitations which are present in the survey. Recommendations are made on the responsible use of Gaia EDR3 results. <BR /> Methods: The raw data collected with the Gaia instruments during the first 34 months of the mission have been processed by the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium and turned into this early third data release, which represents a major advance with respect to Gaia DR2 in terms of astrometric and photometric precision, accuracy, and homogeneity. <BR /> Results: Gaia EDR3 contains celestial positions and the apparent brightness in G for approximately 1.8 billion sources. For 1.5 billion of those sources, parallaxes, proper motions, and the (G<SUB>BP</SUB> − G<SUB>RP</SUB>) colour are also available. The passbands for G, G<SUB>BP</SUB>, and G<SUB>RP</SUB> are provided as part of the release. For ease of use, the 7 million radial velocities from Gaia DR2 are included in this release, after the removal of a small number of spurious values. New radial velocities will appear as part of Gaia DR3. Finally, Gaia EDR3 represents an updated materialisation of the celestial reference frame (CRF) in the optical, the Gaia-CRF3, which is based solely on extragalactic sources. The creation of the source list for Gaia EDR3 includes enhancements that make it more robust with respect to high proper motion stars, and the disturbing effects of spurious and partially resolved sources. The source list is largely the same as that for Gaia DR2, but it does feature new sources and there are some notable changes. The source list will not change for Gaia DR3. <BR /> Conclusions: Gaia EDR3 represents a significant advance over Gaia DR2, with parallax precisions increased by 30 per cent, proper motion precisions increased by a factor of 2, and the systematic errors in the astrometry suppressed by 30-40% for the parallaxes and by a factor ~2.5 for the proper motions. The photometry also features increased precision, but above all much better homogeneity across colour, magnitude, and celestial position. A single passband for G, G<SUB>BP</SUB>, and G<SUB>RP</SUB> is valid over the entire magnitude and colour range, with no systematics above the 1% level
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Gaia Collaboration; AB(Leiden Observatory
Brown, A. G. A.; Astronomical Observatory of Padua
Vallenari, A.; European Space Agency (ESA), European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Keplerlaan 1, 2201AZ, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Prusti, T.; European Space Agency (ESA), European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Keplerlaan 1, 2201AZ, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
de Bruijne, J. H. J.; Institute de Planetologie et d'Astrophysique de Grenoble, Observatoire de Paris, Laboratoire Galaxies Etoiles Physiques et Instrumentation
Babusiaux, C.; Astronomisches Rechen-Institut
Biermann, M.; Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, France
Creevey, O. L.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
Evans, D. W.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory
Eyer, L.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Hutton, A.; European Space Agency (ESA), European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Keplerlaan 1, 2201AZ, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Jansen, F.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Messineo, R.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory
Mowlavi, N.; Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse
Nicolas, C.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory, -
Nienartowicz, K.; Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse
Pailler, F.; Observatoire de Paris, Laboratoire Galaxies Etoiles Physiques et Instrumentation
Panuzzo, P.; Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse
Riclet, F.; Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse
Roux, W.; University College London, Mullard Space Science Laboratory
Seabroke, G. M.; Astronomical Observatory of Padua
Sordo, R.; Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, France
Tanga, P.; Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, France
Thévenin, F.; European Science and Astronomy Center, Astronomisches Rechen-Institut
Gracia-Abril, G.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Portell, J.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Teyssier, D.; Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Observatoire de Paris, Systemes de Reference Relativistes
Altmann, M.; Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg
Andrae, R.; National Observatoryof Athens, I. Metaxa and Vas. Pavlou, Palaia Penteli, 15236, Athens, Greece
Bellas-Velidis, I.; University College London, Mullard Space Science Laboratory
Benson, K.; Universite de Lille I, France
Berthier, J.; Royal Observatory of Belgium
Blomme, R.; Astronomical Observatory of Catania
Brugaletta, E.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
Burgess, P. W.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
Busso, G.; Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, France
Carry, B.; Astronomical Observatory of Turin
Cellino, A.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Cheek, N.; Astronomical Observatory of Bologna
Clementini, G.; University of Liege, Department of Astrophysics, Geophysics and Oceanography, Center of Research in Astronomy Astrophysics and Geophysics, Algeria
Damerdji, Yassine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Groupe d'astrophysique des hautes énergies (GAPHE)
Davidson, M.; University of Liege, Department of Astrophysics, Geophysics and Oceanography
Delchambre, Ludovic ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research (STAR)
Dell'Oro, A.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Fernández-Hernández, J.; Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, France
Galluccio, L.; European Science and Astronomy Center
García-Lario, P.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Garcia-Reinaldos, M.; European Science and Astronomy Center, -
González-Núñez, J.; University of Liege, Department of Astrophysics, Geophysics and Oceanography, -
Gosset, Eric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Groupe d'astrophysique des hautes énergies (GAPHE)
Haigron, R.; Universite de Strasbourg Louis Pasteur, France
Halbwachs, J. -L.; Royal Observatory Edinburgh
Hambly, N. C.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy, -
Harrison, D. L.; University of Athens, Department of Astronomy
Hatzidimitriou, D.; Uppsala University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Heiter, U.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Hernández, J.; Universite de Lille I, France
Hestroffer, D.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
Hodgkin, S. T.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory, University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory
Holl, B.; Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics, Potsdam
Janßen, K.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory
Jevardat de Fombelle, G.; Astronomisches Rechen-Institut
Jordan, S.; University of Lisbon, Portugal, University of California, Irvine
Krone-Martins, A.; Astronomical Observatory of Catania, University of Catania, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Lanzafame, A. C.; Astronomisches Rechen-Institut
Löffler, W.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Lorca, A.; University of Coruna, Spain
Manteiga, M.; Universite de Strasbourg Louis Pasteur, France
Marchal, O.; Astronomical Observatory of Rome, ASI Science Data Center
Marrese, P. M.; University of Lisbon, Portugal
Moitinho, A.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Mora, A.; University of Helsinki, Department of Physics, Finnish Geospatial Research Institute
Muinonen, K.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
Osborne, P.; Astronomical Observatory of Arcetri, ASI Science Data Center
Robin, A. C.; HE Space Operations BV for European Space Agency (ESA), Keplerlaan 1, 2201AZ, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Roegiers, T.; Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg
Rybizki, J.; National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
Sarro, L. M.; Vrije Universiteit, Brussels, Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Group
Siopis, C.; University College London, Mullard Space Science Laboratory
Smith, M.; Astronomical Observatory of Turin
Sozzetti, A.; University of Vigo, Spain
Ulla, A.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Utrilla, E.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
van Leeuwen, M.; European Science and Astronomy Center
van Reeven, W.; Astronomical Observatory of Turin
Abbas, U.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Abreu Aramburu, A.; Thales Alenia Space, France
Accart, S.; Katholieke University of Leuven, Astronomical Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Astronomy and Physics, Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg
Aerts, C.; National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
Aguado, J. J.; Observatoire de Paris, Laboratoire Galaxies Etoiles Physiques et Instrumentation
Ajaj, M.; Astronomical Observatory of Rome, ASI Science Data Center
Altavilla, G.; University of Coruna, Spain
Álvarez, M. A.; CSIC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Barcelona
Álvarez Cid-Fuentes, J.; University of Vienna, Department of Astronomy
Alves, J.; European Southern Observatory, Germany
Anderson, R. I.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Anglada Varela, E.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Antoja, T.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory
Audard, M.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Baines, D.; University College London, Mullard Space Science Laboratory
Baker, S. G.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Balaguer-Núñez, L.; University of Groningen, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute
Balbinot, E.; Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg
Balog, Z.; Observatoire de Paris, Systemes de Reference Relativistes
Barache, C.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory, Astronomical Observatory of Turin
Barbato, D.; University of Lisbon, Portugal
Barros, M.; University of Leicester, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Barstow, M. A.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Bartolomé, S.; Thales Alenia Space, France
Bassilana, J. -L.; Universite de Lille I, France
Bauchet, N.; Thales Alenia Space, France
Baudesson-Stella, A.; Astronomical Observatory of Catania
Becciani, U.; Astronomical Observatory of Bologna
Bellazzini, M.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Bernet, M.; Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science & Technology, -, Astronomical Observatory of Turin
Bertone, S.; EURIX S.r.l., Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 61, 10128, Torino, Italy
Bianchi, L.; Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Blanco-Cuaresma, S.; Universite de Strasbourg Louis Pasteur, France
Boch, T.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Bombrun, A.; University of Porto, Center for Astrophysics
Bossini, D.; Observatoire de Paris, Systemes de Reference Relativistes
Bouquillon, S.; Astronomical Observatory of Bologna
Hobbs, D.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
Holland, G.; University College London, Mullard Space Science Laboratory
Huckle, H. E.; Laboratoire Univers et Particules de Montpellier
Jasniewicz, G.; Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Astronomy and Physics, Netherlands Institute for Space Research
Jonker, P. G.; Astronomisches Rechen-Institut
Juaristi Campillo, J.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Julbe, F.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory
Karbevska, L.; Observatoire de Paris, Laboratoire d'Etudes Spatiales et d'Instrumentation en Astrophysique
Kervella, P.; University of Groningen, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute
Khanna, S.; Villanova University, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics
Kochoska, A.; University of Athens, Department of Astronomy
Kontizas, M.; Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, France
Kordopatis, G.; Uppsala University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Korn, A. J.; Leiden Observatory, Netherlands Institute for Space Research
Kostrzewa-Rutkowska, Z.; University of Warsaw, Department of Astronomy
Kruszyńska, K.; Observatoire de Paris, Systemes de Reference Relativistes
Lambert, S.; Astronomical Observatory of Catania
Lanza, A. F.; Thales Alenia Space, France
Lasne, Y.; Observatoire de Bordeaux
Le Campion, J. -F.; Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse
Le Fustec, Y.; Observatoire de Paris, Laboratoire d'Etudes Spatiales et d'Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Universite de Rennes 1, Institut de Physique
Lebreton, Y.; University of Vienna, Department of Astronomy
Lebzelter, T.; Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte
Leccia, S.; Observatoire de Paris, Laboratoire Galaxies Etoiles Physiques et Instrumentation
Leclerc, N.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory
Lecoeur-Taibi, I.; Astronomical Observatory of Turin
Liao, S.; Astronomical Observatory of Turin
Licata, E.; Astronomical Observatory of Turin, Niels Bohr Institute for Astronomy, Physics and Geophysics
Lindstrøm, E. P.; Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope
Lister, T. A.; University of Athens, Department of Astronomy
Livanou, E.; Royal Observatory of Belgium
Lobel, A.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Madrero Pardo, P.; Thales Alenia Space, France
Managau, S.; Royal Observatory Edinburgh
Mann, R. G.; Liverpool John Moores University, Astrophysics Research Institute
Marchant, J. M.; Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte
Marconi, M.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Marcos Santos, M. M. S.; Astronomical Observatory of Rome, ASI Science Data Center
Marinoni, S.; Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Marocco, F.; IRAP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, CNES, 9 Av. colonel Roche, BP 44346, 31028, Toulouse Cedex 4, France
Marshall, D. J.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Martin Polo, L.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Martín-Fleitas, J. M.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Masip, A.; Astronomical Observatory of Bologna
Massari, D.; Lund Observatory
Mastrobuono-Battisti, A.; Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy
Mazeh, T.; Lund Observatory
McMillan, P. J.; Astronomical Observatory of Catania
Messina, S.; European Space Agency (ESA), European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Keplerlaan 1, 2201AZ, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Michalik, D.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
Millar, N. R.; Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics, Potsdam
Mints, A.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Molina, D.; Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte
Molinaro, R.; Konkoly Observatory, -, -
Molnár, L.; Astronomical Observatory of Bologna
Montegriffo, P.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Mor, R.; Astronomical Observatory of Turin
Morbidelli, R.; University of Liege, Department of Astrophysics, Geophysics and Oceanography
Morel, Thierry ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research (STAR)
Steidelmüller, H.; European Science and Astronomy Center
Stephenson, C. A.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg
Süveges, M.; Konkoly Observatory
Szabados, L.; Konkoly Observatory
Szegedi-Elek, E.; Observatoire de Paris, Systemes de Reference Relativistes
Taris, F.; Thales Alenia Space, France
Tauran, G.; University of Bristol, School of Physics
Taylor, M. B.; University of Sao Paulo, Institute for Astronomy, Geophysics, and Atmospheric Sciences
Teixeira, R.; Universite de Lille I, France
Thuillot, W.; CSIC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Barcelona
Tonello, N.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Torra, F.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Torra, J.; Observatoire de Paris, Laboratoire Galaxies Etoiles Physiques et Instrumentation
Turon, C.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory
Unger, N.; Thales Alenia Space, France
Vaillant, M.; Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse
van Dillen, E.; Observatoire de Paris, Laboratoire Galaxies Etoiles Physiques et Instrumentation
Vanel, O.; Astronomical Observatory of Turin
Vecchiato, A.; Observatoire de Paris, Laboratoire Galaxies Etoiles Physiques et Instrumentation
Viala, Y.; CSIC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Barcelona
Vicente, D.; Royal Observatory Edinburgh
Voutsinas, S.; Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos, Barcelona
Weiler, M.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
Wevers, T.; University of Warsaw, Department of Astronomy
Wyrzykowski, Ł.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
Yoldas, A.; Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse
Yvard, P.; Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, France
Zhao, H.; Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris
Zorec, J.; Tel Aviv University, Israel
Zucker, S.; Laboratoire Univers et Particules de Montpellier
Zurbach, C.; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
