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News & Announcements from Gaia

2009-11-16 ESA vodcast about astrometry
During the International Year of Astronomy, several video podcasts are being produced by ESA exploring the universe in which we live. Charting the Galaxy - from Hipparcos to Gaia discovers the motions of stars, how astronomers measure their distances and looks at the Gaia mission.

2009-11-05 Vacancy notice: Project Management Officer at ESAC (Spain)
The scientific chairman and the executive committee of the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC) are supported by the DPAC Project Office (PO), to which the day-to-day management of the overall DPAC development and operations is delegated. The INAF (Italian National Institute for Astrophysics) announces the open position of Project Management Officer to be part of the DPAC PO staff. However, this position (like the rest of the PO members) is located at ESAC (Spain). The position, implemented by INAF and financed by ASI, the Italian Space Agency, is expected to run until about 2020. More information can be found in the following pdf file and link. Closing date for applications is 15 December 2009.

2009-10-30 Release of the new issue of the DPAC Newsletter
The DPAC Newsletter no. 6 is now available and there you will find information about how DPAC is planning the Integration Testing, the presentation of the Photometric Science Alerts system set up in CU5 and the principles of the absolute calibration of the radial velocities contrived by CU6 astronomers. For more information, visit the following link.

2009-10-20 Vacancy notice: 2 positions as Gaia data processing system scientist at MSSL/UCL
As part of the significant MSSL/UCL involvement in ESA's Gaia mission, two posts are available for scientists to lead the scientific development of the core spectroscopic algorithms for the mission data processing. A track record in observational astronomy is essential, ideally including experience with space-based observations. Previous experience in algorithm development within team-based projects is desirable. The successful applicants will provide scientific expertise within a team of software engineers working on the design, development and verification of operational software for the Radial Velocity Spectrometer instrument, which is implemented as part of the European-wide Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (Gaia DPAC). The role will require close collaboration with the software developers and wider science teams involved in the Gaia project, and the other members of the Astrophysics Group at MSSL/UCL. The applicants will also be encouraged to pursue a programme of research in the area of Galactic formation and evolution.
One post is initially for 1 year, with likely continuation. The other post is for 1-year fixed. The salary will be in the range: £ 28,839 to £ 35,469. The appointment grade will be commensurate with accomplishment and experience.
Informal enquiries may be made to Prof Mark Cropper.
Please apply online for this post at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/vacancies/adverts/job-list.html.
If there are any difficulties please contact Libby Daghorn at MSSL, University College London, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NT, UK.
Closing date for applications is 15 December 2009.
Further information about MSSL in general can be found at http://www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk.
Please, quote ref:0916 in all correspondence.
Job description and person specification (pdf).

2009-10-15 Post-doc position at the Observatory of Bologna (Italy) on Gaia photometric calibration
The Observatory of Bologna calls for applications to a postdoctoral position to work on the absolute calibration of the Gaia spectrophotometric system. The successful applicant will work in close collaboration with the Bologna group that investigates the scientific models for the absolute calibration of the instrument, and with the teams in Bologna, Barcelona and Groningen engaged in the ground-based observations needed for the definition and construction of the grid of spectrophotometric standars stars. The candidate should have experience in the observations, treatment and flux calibration of photometric and spectroscopic data. More details can be found in the official announcement, in Italian, at this link. For further information and help in compiling the Italian forms, please contact Elena Pancino. Closing date for applications is 12 November 2009.

2009-10-14 The music behind Hipparcos
In the following link you will find a musical clock made of stars. It has been created using the public data from Hipparcos. Don't forget to turn your sound up.

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