TESELA: a new Virtual Observatory tool to determine blank fields for astronomical observations

TL;DR

TESELA is a new Virtual Observatory tool that uses Delaunay triangulation to efficiently identify and visualize blank sky regions for calibration in astronomical imaging.

Contribution

The paper introduces TESELA, a novel web-based tool leveraging Delaunay triangulation to generate and access blank sky field catalogues for astronomers.

Findings

TESELA enables quick retrieval of blank fields near specified sky positions.

The tool integrates with Aladin for visualization.

It simplifies the calibration process in astronomical imaging.

Abstract

The observation of blank fields, regions of the sky devoid of stars down to a given threshold magnitude, constitutes one of the typical important calibration procedures required for the proper reduction of astronomical data obtained in imaging mode. This work describes a method, based on the use of the Delaunay triangulation on the surface of a sphere, that allows the easy generation of blank fields catalogues. In addition to that, a new tool named TESELA, accessible through the WEB, has been created to facilitate the user to retrieve, and visualise using the VO-tool Aladin, the blank fields available near a given position in the sky.