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Single Object Search

This search looks for all of the objects within the vicinity of a single position or object. To use this search type, select the radio button to the left of Single Object Search. You can see an example of this search type here.

Coordinate or Object Name

Enter the coordinates or object name in the Coordinate or Object Name textbox.

Coordinates

Gator supports all common coordinate systems. The coordinates, coordinate system, epoch and equinox, as needed, are all entered as a string in the textbox; equatorial J2000 is assumed unless specified otherwise. The parser recognizes decimal and sexagesimal coordinates, and can recognize all common representations of sexagesimal coordinates. The following are examples of valid coordinate inputs:

• 0042443-411608
• 00:42:44.3 -41:16:08
• 00h42m44.3s -41d16m08s
• 00 42 44.3 -41 16 08
• 34.5565 54.2321 gal
• 34. 54. Ecl
• 344.489624 40.248115 Equ B1950

Object Names

The NStED name resolver supports a wide range of source identifiers, including common names and catalog designations, recorded in a catalog of cross-identifications and positions. Catalog identifiers include HD, Hipparcos, Tycho, and many others. See the complete list at http://nsted.ipac.caltech.edu/NStED/docs/xids.html.

If the object is part of a multiple system, Gator will, by default, use the coordinates of component A. If NStED cannot resolve an object name, the string is sent first to NED, then to SIMBAD to attempt name resolution. The range of acceptable name formats is set by those projects.

Currently, Gator does not support name resolution of the KIC identifiers. Kepler Target Selection Catalog objects often have many aliases, so using an alias as the object name is recommended (e.g., some of the aliases for KIC number 11446443 are TrES-2, GSC 03549-02811, 2MASS J19071403+4918590 and TYC 3549-02811-1).  Searches on KIC IDs can be performed directly using the Column Constraints search option. You can see an example of this search type here.

Search Method

The Search Method defines the area of the sky to search.

Cone

This search type find objects within an elliptically-shaped cone on the sky that is defined by the Radius, Position Angle (PA) and Axial Ratio, centered at the input position.

• Radius / Units - This is the radius of the search cone. The valid range is from 0 to 3,600 arcseconds, with units of arcseconds, arcminutes or degrees.
• PA - This is the position angle of the ellipse.  The valid range is from 0 to 360 degrees, measured East of North.
• Axial Ratio - The axial ratio of the ellipse. That is, the ratio of the ellipse’s semi-minor axis to its semi-major axis. The valid range is between 0 and 1.

You can see an example of a Cone Search here.

Box

This search type finds objects within a box on the sky centered at the source position, with sides equal to the length specified in the Size field.

• Size - This is the length of the sides of the box in arcseconds. The valid range is between 0 and 7,200 arcseconds.

You can see an example of a Box Search here.

Polygon

This search type finds objects lying within an irregular polygonal area on the sky defined by a set of vertices. The polygon area is specified as a series of vertices in the dialog box on the query page.

• Vertices:
• Each vertex is defined by a J2000 RA and Dec position pair, in decimal degrees.
• A maximum of 15 vertices is allowed.
• Vertices must be separated by a comma (,).
• Do not put a comma at the end of your list of vertices.
• You do not need to repeat the first vertex - Gator will close the polygon.

You can see an example of a Polygon Search here.

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