PPM: Positions and Proper Motions Catalog for 378,910 Stars
Updated 3mo ago
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Description
The PPM database combines the PPM North and PPM South catalogs, a Bright Stars Supplement, and a 90,000 Stars Supplement. It provides positions and proper motions for 378,910 stars, effectively replacing older catalogs like SAO with improved precision on the J2000/FK5 coordinate system. The dataset was updated by the HEASARC in October 1999 based on ADC/CDS catalog data and is provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Use Cases
Calculate stellar trajectories based on proper motion data.
Cross-match celestial objects using precise J2000/FK5 coordinate system positions.
Analyze star density and positional accuracy differences between northern and southern hemispheres.
Supplement other star catalogs using the included Bright Stars and 90,000 Stars supplements.
Strengths
Covers 378,910 stars (181,731 north, 197,179 south) with positions and proper motions.
Offers improved precision over the SAO Catalogue, with typical rms errors of 0.27 arcsec in position and 0.42 arcsec/century in proper motion for the northern hemisphere.
Includes supplements to ensure completeness down to V=7.5 magnitude and add approximately 100,000 CPC-2 stars.
Limitations
Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
Row count is unknown for the full combined database, which may limit suitability assessment.
Last updated 2026-03-13 17:09:23.514685; freshness should be verified for current applications.
Provenance
Source
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Collection Method
Combination of multiple catalogs (PPM North, PPM South, Bright Stars Supplement, 90,000 Stars Supplement) derived from position measurements including the Astrographic Catalogue.
Time Range
Positions are at epoch 1990.
Freshness
Last updated 2026-03-13 17:09:23.514685.
Geography
Celestial coverage: stars north and south of -2.5 degrees declination.
License is listed as 'other-license-specified'; terms should be reviewed before use. File formats include BIN and HTML.