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HIC - Hipparcos Input Catalog

HEASARC
Archive

Overview

This database table contains the Hipparcos Input Main Cataloge of 118209 stars.

The Hipparcos Input Catalogue was constructed as the observing program for the European Space Agency's Hipparcos astrometry mission. The requirements of the project in terms of completeness, sky coverage, astrometric and photometric accuracy, as well as the necessary optimization of the scientific impact, resulted in an extended effort to compile and homogenize existing data, to clarify sources and identifications, and, where needed, to collect new data matching the required accuracy.

This has resulted in an unprecedented catalog of stellar data including up-to-date information of positions, proper motions, magnitudes and colors, and (wherever available) spectral types, radial velocities, multiplicity and variability information. The catalog is complete to well-defined magnitude limits and includes a substantial sampling of the most important stellar categories present in the solar neighborhood beyond these limits. The magnitudes vary from 7.3 to 9 mag as a function of galactic latitude and spectral type, and there are no stars fainter than about V=13 mag.

The 118209 stars of the Hipparcos Input Catalogue were selected from some 214000 distinct candidates contained in some 214 observations programs.


Catalog Bibcode

1993BICDS..43....5T

References

Information and descriptions of parameters were taken from documentation in the printed version of the Hipparcos Input Catalogue. A complete description of all aspects of the preparation of the Hipparcos Input Catalogue can be found in the proceedings of two Colloquia on "Scientific Aspects of the Input Catalogue Preparation" (Aussois, 1985, ESA-SP 234; and Sitges, 1988, Torra & Turon eds); in ESA-SP 1111, Volume II (The Hipparcos Mission: Pre-Launch Status, Perryman & Turon 1989); and in a series of papers in "Astronomy & Astrophysics" (Vol. 258 No. 1).

Parameters

Hic_Number
The Hipparcos Input Catalog running number. The star entries are ordered by increasing HIC number which basically follows the order of the object's right ascension (Equinox J2000) independent of declination. There is one entry in the main catalog corresponding to each satellite target irrespective of the possible multiplicity of the star. If the star is a component of a known double or multiple system, then the parameters `Component` and `Target` provide further information.

Name
A name for the star based upon cross-identifications with other catalogs and/or references as follows: If the star is a variable star, then the `Name` is its variable star name (`Vstar Name`); otherwise, the star is named with either its HD/HDE number, SAO number, BD number, AGK3/CPC number, FK*/IRS number, CD number, CPD number, CCDM number, or a number taken from another catalog as listed under the parameter `First ID`, in that order, if one is given. If no cross-identifications are given for a star, then the name is left blank.

Component
The component(s) considered. A letter (or letters) in this field indicates that the star is part of a known double or multiple system. In the case of a double system with well-separated components, `A` or `B` indicates that the entry corresponds to that component. In case of a "joint" entry, letters indicate which of the components of the system are considered (e.g., `AB`, `AC`, `APB`, etc.).

Target
The satellite target in case of joint entry: component, photocenter (j), or geometric center (g). While the location of the "satellite target" (the part of the sky on which the detector is centered for the particular observation) is well defined for single stars, being the best estimate of the star's position at the epoch of the satellite observation, the situation is not so straightforward for double or multiple systems. For such systems, the choice of target position may be

   * the brighter component, designated by the corresponding letter;
   * the geometric center, i.e., the midpoint between two components (`gamma`);
   * the photocenter (`phi`).
  

RA
The Right Ascension of the star.

Dec
The Declination of the star.

Epoch
The epoch for the position.

RA_Error
The mean error of the Right Ascension.

Dec_Error
The mean error of the Declination.

Pos_Source
The source of the position information.

The positions and also proper motions contained in the HIC are derived from the following sources:

   Source             Source                                      Abbreviation
    Code

     B     General Catalog (Boss)                                  GC
     C     Cape Photographic Catalog for 1950.0                    CPC
     D     Catalogue of Components of Double and Multiple Stars    CCDM
     F     FK5 and FK5 Extension                                   FK5/FK5 Ext
     G     Guide Star Catalog                                      GSC
     K     FK4 Supplement                                          FK4 Sup
     M     Bordeaux and/or Carlsberf automatic meridian circles    - / CAMC
     N     New Plate measurements or new proper motions            -
     P     Catalogue of Positions and Proper Motions               PPM
     R     International Reference Stars (AGK3RN,SRS)              IRS
     S     Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Star Catalogue    SAO
     T     Cape Catalogue of Faint Stars                           CF
     X     Miscellaneous                                           -
     Y     Sydney Southern Star Catalogue                          SSSC
     2     Second Cape Photographic Catalogue                      CPC2
     3     Catalogue of Standard Stars based on the N30 System     N30
     5     Second Cape Photographic Catalogue for 1950.0           2CP50
           [Entry without corresponding information]               [-]
  

CRA_2000
The Right Ascension in hr min sec for J2000.

CDec_2000
The Declination in deg min sec for J2000.

LII
The galactic longitude in decimal degrees.

BII
The galactic latitude in decimal degrees.

Ecliptic_Longitude
The ecliptic longitude in decimal degrees.

Ecliptic_Latitude
The ecliptic latitude in decimal degrees.

CRA_1950
The Right Ascension in hr min sec for B1950.

CDec_1950
The Declination in deg arcmin arcsec for B1950.

RA_1950_Deg
The Right Ascension in decimal degrees for B1950.

Dec_1950_Deg
The Declination in decimal degrees for B1950.

Prop_RA
The proper motion in Right Ascension, in arcsec per year, J2000.

Prop_Dec
The proper motion in Declination, in arcsec per year, J2000.

Error_RA_Prop
The error of the proper motion in Right Ascension, in arcsec per year.

Error_Dec_Prop
The error of the proper motion in Declination, in arcsec per year.

Prop_Source
The source of the proper motion information.

The proper motions and also positions contained in the HIC are derived from the following sources:

   Source             Source                                      Abbreviation
    Code

     B     General Catalog (Boss)                                  GC
     C     Cape Photographic Catalog for 1950.0                    CPC
     D     Catalogue of Components of Double and Multiple Stars    CCDM
     F     FK5 and FK5 Extension                                   FK5/FK5 Ext
     G     Guide Star Catalog                                      GSC
     K     FK4 Supplement                                          FK4 Sup
     M     Bordeaux and/or Carlsberf automatic meridian circles    - / CAMC
     N     New Plate measurements or new proper motions            -
     P     Catalogue of Positions and Proper Motions               PPM
     R     International Reference Stars (AGK3RN,SRS)              IRS
     S     Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Star Catalogue    SAO
     T     Cape Catalogue of Faint Stars                           CF
     X     Miscellaneous                                           -
     Y     Sydney Southern Star Catalogue                          SSSC
     2     Second Cape Photographic Catalogue                      CPC2
     3     Catalogue of Standard Stars based on the N30 System     N30
     5     Second Cape Photographic Catalogue for 1950.0           2CP50
           [Entry without corresponding information]               [-]
  

Hmag
The magnitude in the Hipparcos photometric system. `Hipparcos magnitude` is defined by the pass-band of the Hipparcos main detection chain which ranges from 340 to 850 nm. This broad band system yields magnitudes close to the visual V magnitude but show residuals with respect to V, especially for red stars.

Var_Code1
The first digit of the variability code. The variability code provides information on known or suspected variable stars. The first digit may have the following values:

   * ' ': (blank) The star is not a known or suspected variable;
   *  1 : suspected variable, with a suspected amplitude variation smaller than 2
          mag;
   *  2 : suspected variable, with a suspected amplitude variation larger than 2
          mag;
   *  3 : known variable, with amplitude variation larger than 0.2 mag;
   *  4 : known variable, with large amplitude ( > 2 mag), for which an ephemeris
          was necessary;
   *  5 : known variable, with an amplitude variation smaller than 0.2 mag.
  

Var_Code2
The second element of the variability code. Two categories of photoelectric standards are distinguished:

   * A `C` indicates a photoelectric standard star with confirmed long-term
     stability,
   * An `S` indicates a secondary photoelectric standard star.
  

Vmag
The V magnitude.

Vmag_Error
The error of the V magnitude.

BV_Color
The B-V color.

BV_Error
The error of the B-V color.

Phot_Source
The source of the photometry information. The photometric data given in the HIC are derived from the following sources:

  Source                    Source
   Code

    A     Photographic B or V from SIMBAD or proposers; color from spectral type
    C     V magnitude from CAMC; color estimated from spectral type
    D     Joint systems (double or multiple) with combined or joint mag and color
    P     Photoelectric photometry from GCPD, new measurements, or proposers
    V     Variable stars (amplitude > 0.2 mag)
    X     Miscellaneous
  

Spect_Type
The spectral type and luminosity class.

Spectral types were taken either from SIMBAD or from other miscellaneous sources and so follow various classification systems (MK, HD, etc.). In the case of the MK classification system of Morgan et al. (1943), the spectral type, luminosity class, and peculiarity code are given with the following designations:

   * O, B, A, F, G, K, M plus sub-type (0, 1, etc.), and sometimes intermediate
  sub-type (e.g., F7.2, F7.5, F7.7) for spectral types of "normal stars";
   * R, S, N, C for carbon stars;
   * DB, DA, DF, DG for white dwarfs;
   * WR, WN, WC for Wolf-Rayet stars.
  

For luminosity class, the following designations are used: Ia0, Ia, Iab, Ib for supergiants; II for bright giants; III for giants; IV for sub-giants; and V for dwarfs. The sub-dwarfs are either noted `sd` followed by spectral type, or class IV.

Peculiarities of the spectra are noted in lowercase letters: `e` for emission lines; `m` for enhanced metallic lines; `n` for nebulous lines; `p` for peculiarity in the chemical composition; `s` for sharp lines; `sh` for the existence of a shell; `v` for variations in the spectrum; `w` for weak lines. `CN` indicates stars with an anomaly in the cyanogen abundance.

The following signs are also used:

   * `:` indicates some doubt about determination of spectral type or
     luminosity class;
   * `/` between two spectral types or luminosity classes indicates that the
     two classifications were made during the Michigan Spectral Survey;
   * `-` between two spectral types or luminosity classes indicates that the
     parameter is intermediate between those given;
   * `+...` indicates composite spectra (second spectrum not given);
   * `...` indicated truncated spectra (source catalog gives further details).
  

Spect_Source
The source of the spectral type data. The spectral type and luminosity class information in the HIC is derived from the following sources:

    Source                 Source
     Code

      1        Michigan Spectral Survey, Vol. 1 (Houk & Cowley 1975)
      2        Michigan Spectral Survey, Vol. 2 (Houk 1978)
      3        Michigan Spectral Survey, Vol. 3 (Houk 1982)
      4        Michigan Spectral Survey, Vol. 4 (Houk & Smith-Moore 1988)
      K        Fourth Edition of General Catalogue of Variable Stars (GCVS)
      S        SIMBAD
      X        Miscellaneous
               [Entry without corresponding information]
  

Parallax
The parallax in milli-arcsec.

Error_Parallax
The probable error of parallax in milli-arcsec.

Type_Parallax
The type of parallax: `T` for trigonometric, `D` for dynamical.

Radial_Vel
The radial velocity in km/sec. Positive values indicate recession.

Quality_Radial_Vel
The quality of radial velocity given is derived from information in the GCRV (Wilson 1953) and the catalog of Evans (1978) according to which the estimated mean probably errors are "based upon three factors: the number of observations, the dispersion of the spectrograph used, and the interagreement of separate determinations." The radial velocities are characterized by five values as follows:

   * `a` : 0.5 km/sec;
   * `b` : 1.2 km/sec;
   * `c` : 2.5 km/sec;
   * `d` : 5 km/ sec;
   * `e` : not given.
  

Source_Radial_Vel
The source of the radial velocity data. The radial velocity information was compiled from the following sources:

      Source                  Source
       Code

        B                Barbier-Brossat (1989)
        E                Evans (1978)
        W                GCRV (Wilson 1953)
        X                Miscellaneous
  

Vstar_Name
The variable star name, GCVS or NSV.

Var_Type
The type of variability.

The data on variability type are taken from the GCVS and NSV catalogues. The abbreviations follow from the main classes of variability: eruptive, pulsating, rotating, cataclysmic, eclipsing, and X-ray variable star. The key to variability codes is available from the HEASARC.

Var_Period
The period of variation in days.

Vmag_Max
The V magnitude at maximum luminosity.

Vmag_Min
The V magnitude at minimum luminosity.

Code_Vmag_Error
The coded error of the V magnitude at maximum and minimum luminosity. This code gives an estimate of the accuracy of the V magnitudes at maximimum and minimum luminosity in Vmag_Max and Vmag_Min. The code can take the following values:

   * `1` : less than or equal to 0.2 mag;
   * `2` : from 0.2 to 0.5 mag;
   * `3` : from 0.5 to 1.0 mag;
   * `4` : greater than or equal to 1.0 mag.
  

Other_Code
The code specifying the magnitudes and color given for Hmag, Vmag, and B-V. This information is given for stars with a variability code of `3` or `4`, whenever the necessary information of the luminosity curve was available. It is coded as follows:

   * `1` : magnitude at minimum luminosity;
   * `2` : magnitude at maximum luminosity;
   * `3` : mean magnitude;
   * `4` : weighted magnitude (0.33 max + 0.67 min) for most pulsating stars;
   * `5` : weighted magnitude (0.85 max + 0.15 min) for eclipsing systems.
  

CCDM_Number
The CCDM number.

Data for `CCDM Number`, `CCDM Component`, `Pos Angle`, `Separation`, `Mag Diff`, and `System Code` were taken from a provisional version of the "Catalogue of the Components of Double and Multiple Stars" (CCDM, Dommanget et al., in preparation). The CCDM and HIC numbers provide the link between the main catalog and Annex 1, which contains the data for individual components of double and multiple systems for which at least one component is included in the main catalog.

CCDM_Component
The CCDM components considered. The first letter corresponds to the "reference" component, with respect to which the separation and difference of magnitude are computed.

CCDM_Pos_Angle
The position angle, in degrees, between the CCDM components considered. `N`, `S`, `F`, `P`, `NP`, `SP`, `NF`, `SF` may be used.

CCDM_Separation
The separation, in arcsec, between CCDM components considered.

CCDM_Mag_Diff
The magnitude difference between components considered.

The "magnitude difference" given here is computed from the available provisional version of the CCDM and may not be consistent with the data given for the V magnitude (`Vmag`). If the "reference" component is fainter than the second one, this difference is negative.

CCDM_System_Code
Information on orbital systems:

   * `O` for system with known orbit;
   * `A` or `*` for astrometric binary.
  

BD_Number
The BD number.

DM identification numbers for stars in the Bonner Durchmusterung, the Cordoba Durchmusterung, and the Cape Photographic Durchmusterung are given following the HD convention. When the zone of the DM number is between +90 degrees and -22 degrees, the BD number is used.

CD_Number
The CD number.

DM identification numbers for stars in the Bonner Durchmusterung, the Cordoba Durchmusterung, and the Cape Photographic Durchmusterung are given following the HD convention. When the zone of the DM number is between -23 degrees and -51 degrees, the CD number is used.

CPD_Number
The CPD number.

DM identification numbers for stars in the Bonner Durchmusterung, the Cordoba Durchmusterung, and the Cape Photographic Durchmusterung are given following the HD convention. When the zone of the DM number is between -52 degrees and -90 degrees, the CPD number is used.

HD_Number
The HD/HDE number.

Cross-identifications are given to stars in the HD Catalog (Cannon & Pickering 1918-24) and its two extensions. HD numbers range from 1 to 225300; HDE numbers are in the range from 225301 to 272150 (Cannon 1925-36) and from 272151 to 359083 (Cannon & Walton Mayall 1949).

Fk_ID
The FK5/FK5 Ext/FK4 Sup or IRS (AGK3R/SRS) number.

Cross-identifications are given to stars in the Fifth Fundamental Catalogue (FK5, Fricke et al. 1988), its extension (FK5 Ext, Fricke et al. 1991), the FK4 Supplement (FK4 Sup, Fricke 1963), and to the International Reference Stars (IRS), which comprises the AGK3R (Smith 1980) and SRS (Smith et al. 1990) Catalogues with the following codes:

            Abbreviation                Catalog

                 A                       AGK3R
                 F                         FK5 (Range 1 - 1670)
                 F                     FK5 Ext (Range 2001 - 6125)
                 K                     FK4 Sup
                 S                         SRS
  

AGK3_ID
The AGK3/CPC number.

Cross-identifications are given to stars in the AGK3 Catalogue for delta greater than -2.5 degrees (Dieckvoss et al. 1975) and otherwise to stars in the CPC Catalogue (Jackson & Stoy 1954-68) as follows:

             Catalog                       Format

              AGK3                   +/- DD    ####
              CPC                        VV   #####
                                  or     VV.v #####
              other                       0   #####
  

SAO_Number
The SAO number.

Cross-identifications are given to stars in the SAO Catalogue (Smithsonian Institution 1966).

First_ID
The first of two selected identifiers. The abbreviations and hierarchy for the identifiers is as follows: GL, GJ, G, LHS, LTT, LP, L, BPM, CF, McC.

              Abbreviation             Catalog

                BPM              Bruce Proper Motion Survey
                CF               Cape Faint Stars
                G                Lowell Proper Motion Survey
                GL               Catalog of Nearby Stars (Gliese)
                GJ               Catalog extensions
                L                Luyten Catalogue
                LHS              Luyten Half-Second Catalogue
                LP               Luyten Palomar Survey
                LTT              Luyten Two-Tenths Catalogue
                McC              McCormick Observatory
  

Second_ID
The second of two selected identifiers. Abbreviations and hierarchy for the identifiers is the same as for the `First ID`.

Star_ID
An identifier for stars in galactic open clusters; LMC/SMC; and C, IRC, PK, and WD. The key to the identifiers is available from the HEASARC.

First_Note
The letter `S` is for a survey star; `C` indicates that an identification chart is provided within the faint star Atlas (Annex 2); and `T` indicates that the star is a survey star, and that an identification chart is provided, `S` and `C`.

Second_Note
`N` indicates that another note is available.

Class
The BROWSE classification of the star.


Contact Person

Questions regarding the HIC database table can be addressed to the HEASARC User Hotline.
Page Author: Browse Software Development Team
Last Modified: Wednesday, 12-Oct-2005 11:38:43 EDT