500 - Tools for data exploration

A use of the Gaia archive based on simple queries (i.e. sky region queries) would only allow a basic use of it potential. To fully exploit a billion object dataset, containing a wide variety of data (astrometric, photometric, spectrophotometric, spectroscopic, …) more advanced and powerful data exploration tools will be needed. This work package is devoted to the development of such tools, in close coordination with WP 200 to ensure that they are tailored to the actual needs of the scientific user community. It will include:

• Development of visualization tools, adapted both to the potential large size and complexity of the available data of the results of the archive queries.

• Development of data mining tools adapted to the characteristics of the archive (both to its contents and the archive system), allowing the users to search and extract data based on complex criteria.

• Development or adaptation of VO tools to the Gaia archive. In particular, the possibility of cross-matching the contents of the Gaia archive with other archives (specially with large surveys ongoing or in preparation, like LSST) should be easily available.
• Development of tools for the Grand Challenges outlined in WP 200, that will involve complex and massive exploration of the data.

Furthermore, the work package also includes the development of some tools for outreach and academic activities. Although not explicitly included in the call, we consider the task of approaching astronomy to the general public and the provision of resources for teaching astronomy based on actual Gaia data is a worthy contribution to dissemination of space mission data on a global scale.