GAIA DR2: Stellar Positions and Motions via Cone Search

GAIA DR2 data provides precise astrometric measurements for over a billion stars. This service from NASA offers programmatic access to the catalog via a MAST mirror using the Cone Search protocol. The data was last updated in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Query stellar positions and motions based on the GAIA Data Release 2 catalog.
• Integrate star catalog data into astronomical software via the described Cone Search endpoints.
• Cross-match observations with a major astrometric catalog based on the service's access to MAST holdings.

Strengths

• Data originates from the authoritative GAIA mission's second data release.
• Access is provided via a standardized Cone Search protocol for programmatic use.
• Hosted by NASA's Space Telescope Science Institute (MAST).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Space Telescope Science Institute (MAST)

Collection Method

Observational data from the European Space Agency's GAIA mission, mirrored and served via a VO Cone Search endpoint.

Time Range

GAIA Data Release 2 observational period.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 19:49:46.024441; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Full celestial sphere.