Sources#

Sources are the objects that are the focus of the database. They can be stars, galaxies, or other celestial objects. The Sources table contains information about the sources, including their coordinates and discovery reference. The Sources table is the main table in the database and is used to link all other tables together. Each source has a unique identifier, which is used to link it to other tables in the database.

Notes#

  • Epoch is the date the source is expected to be at the given coordinate. This date is most relevant for high proper option objects.

  • In the case of multiple discovery references, for example independent discovery, choose one reference for the reference column and put the rest in the other_references column.

See also

ingest_source

Function to ingest source data

find_source_in_db

Function to find sources in the database

Table documentation#

Sources#

The Sources table contains all objects in the database alongside their coordinates. This is considered the ‘primary’ table in the database, as each source is expected to be unique and is referred to by all other object tables.

Columns marked with an exclamation mark (❗️) may not be empty.

Column Name

Description

Datatype

Length

Units

UCD

❗️ source

Unique identifier for the source

string

50

meta.id;src;meta.main

ra_deg

Right Ascension the source, ICRS recommended

double

deg

pos.eq.ra;meta.main

dec_deg

Declination of the source, ICRS recommended

double

deg

pos.eq.dec;meta.main

epoch_year

Decimal year for coordinates (e.g., 2015.5)

double

yr

equinox

Equinox reference frame year (e.g., J2000). Not needed if using IRCS coordinates.

string

10

❗️ reference

Discovery reference for the source; links to Publications table

string

30

meta.ref;meta.main

other_references

Additional references, comma-separated

string

50

meta.ref

comments

Free form comments

string

100

meta.note

Indexes#

Name

Columns

Description

PK_Sources_source

[‘#Sources.source’]

Primary key for Sources table

Foreign Keys#

Description

Columns

Referenced Columns

Link Source reference to Publications table

[‘#Sources.reference’]

[‘#Publications.reference’]

Checks#

Description

Expression

Validate RA range

ra_deg >= 0 AND ra_deg <= 360

Validate Dec range

dec_deg >= -90 AND dec_deg <= 90