ESA Sky: a new Astronomy Multi-Mission Interface

TL;DR

ESA Sky is a user-friendly, web-based portal that enables seamless exploration and retrieval of multi-wavelength astronomical data from all ESA missions, facilitating scientific discovery without prior mission knowledge.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive, integrated interface for ESA's astronomy data, utilizing advanced HEALPix projections and detailed geometrical footprints for improved data access and visualization.

Findings

First public beta released with multi-wavelength sky exploration features.

Enables retrieval of science-ready imaging data and catalogues.

Plans for future spectra retrieval and time-domain exploration.

Abstract

We present a science-driven discovery portal for all the ESA Astronomy Missions called ESA Sky that allow users to explore the multi-wavelength sky and to seamlessly retrieve science-ready data in all ESA Astronomy mission archives from a web application without prior-knowledge of any of the missions. The first public beta of the service has been released, currently featuring an interface for exploration of the multi-wavelength sky and for single and/or multiple target searches of science-ready imaging data and catalogues. Future releases will enable retrieval of spectra and will have special time-domain exploration features. From a technical point of view, the system offers progressive multi-resolution all-sky projections of full mission datasets using a new generation of HEALPix projections called HiPS, developed at the CDS; detailed geometrical footprints to connect the all-sky mosaics to individual observations; and direct access to science-ready data at the underlying mission-specific science archives.