Basic Tools for Astrophysical Research

Data format used in astronomy

World Coordinate Systems (WCS)

Astrometry and Positional Astronomy

Filter Response Curves

Managing Catalogs

Table cross-match

List of Observatories

Basic Astronomy Database

  • SIMBAD Astronomical Database - CDS
    • The SIMBAD astronomical database provides basic data, cross-identifications, bibliography and measurements for astronomical objects outside the solar system.
  • VizieR Catalog Database
    • VizieR provides the most complete library of published astronomical catalogues -tables and associated data- with verified and enriched data, accessible via multiple interfaces.
  • Aladin Sky Atlas
    • Aladin is an interactive sky atlas allowing the user to visualize digitized astronomical images or full surveys, superimpose entries from astronomical catalogues or databases, and interactively access related data and information from the Simbad database, the VizieR service and other archives for all known astronomical objects in the field.
  • NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database
    • NED is a comprehensive database of multiwavelength data for extragalactic objects, providing a systematic, ongoing fusion of information integrated from hundreds of large sky surveys and tens of thousands of research publications.
  • NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive
    • IRSA is chartered to curate the science products of NASA’s infrared and submillimeter missions, including many large-area and all-sky surveys.
  • MAST - Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes
    • MAST provides a variety of astronomical archives focused on scientific data sets in the optical, ultraviolet, and near-infrared parts of the spectrum.
    • The MAST Portal lets you search multiple collections of astronomical datasets all in one place.