Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 143, 9-22

The SIMBAD astronomical database

The CDS reference database for astronomical objects

M. Wenger - F. Ochsenbein - D. Egret - P. Dubois - F. Bonnarel - S. Borde - F. Genova - G. Jasniewicz - S. Laloë - S. Lesteven - R. Monier

Send offprint request: D. Egret,
e-mail: question@simbad.u-strasbg.fr

CDS, Observatoire astronomique de Strasbourg, UMR 7550, 11 rue de l'Université, F-67000 Strasbourg, France

Received December 1, 1999; accepted January 17, 2000

Abstract:

SIMBAD is the reference database for identification and bibliography of astronomical objects. It contains identifications, "basic data'', bibliography, and selected observational measurements for several million astronomical objects.

SIMBAD is developed and maintained by CDS, Strasbourg. Building the database contents is achieved with the help of several contributing institutes. Scanning the bibliography is the result of the collaboration of CDS with bibliographers in Observatoire de Paris (DASGAL), Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, and Observatoire de Bordeaux.

When selecting catalogues and tables for inclusion, priority is given to optimal multi-wavelength coverage of the database, and to support of research developments linked to large projects. In parallel, the systematic scanning of the bibliography reflects the diversity and general trends of astronomical research.

A WWW interface to SIMBAD is available at:

http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/Simbad.

Key words: astronomical data bases: miscellaneous -- catalogs