ESASky: The whole of space Astronomy at your fingertips

TL;DR

ESASky is a user-friendly, science-driven portal that provides simplified access to high-level astronomical data from ESA missions across multiple wavelengths, facilitating sky exploration and data retrieval without prior mission knowledge.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive, accessible platform for ESA astronomical data, integrating multi-mission data and user-friendly interfaces for broad scientific use.

Findings

Accessible interface for multi-mission data exploration

Quick retrieval of science-ready products

Supports multi-wavelength sky exploration

Abstract

ESASky is a new science-driven discovery portal for all ESA astronomical missions that gives users worldwide a simplified access to high-level science-ready products from ESA and other data providers. The tool features a sky exploration interface and a single/multiple target interface, and it requires no prior knowledge of specific details of each mission. Users can explore the sky in multiple wavelengths, quickly see the data available for their targets, and retrieve the relevant products, with just a few clicks. The first version of the tool, released in May 2016, provides access to imaging data and a number of catalogues. Future releases will enable retrieval of spectroscopic data and will incorporate futures to allow time-domain exploration and the study of Solar System objects.