Astrometric Galactic maser measurements cross-matched with Gaia

TL;DR

This paper discusses the use of radio astrometry from VLBA surveys to map the Galaxy's structure, complementing Gaia data for a comprehensive understanding of stellar populations.

Contribution

It introduces a plan to combine VLBA radio measurements with Gaia data to improve mapping of the inner Galaxy and study stellar populations.

Findings

VLBA surveys provide precise distances and motions of stars.

Combining radio and Gaia data enhances Galactic structure understanding.

The approach will reveal properties of stars in the Galactic bulge.

Abstract

Using the VLBA, the BeSSeL survey has provided distances and proper motions of young massive stars, allowing an accurate measure of the Galactic spiral structure. By the same technique, we are planning to map the inner Galaxy using positions and velocities of evolved stars (provided by the BAaDE survey). These radio astrometric measurements (BeSSeL and BAaDE) will be complementary to Gaia results and the overlap will provide important clues on the intrinsic properties and population distribution of the stars in the bulge.