![](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2016\/11\/virtual_milky_way\/16487035-1-eng-GB\/Virtual_Milky_Way_small.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\nESA\u2019s Gaia is surveying stars in our Galaxy and local galactic neighbourhood in order to build the most precise 3D map of the Milky Way and answer questions about its structure, origin and evolution.\n<\/p>\n
\nLaunched in 2013, Gaia has already generated its first catalogue of more than a billion stars<\/a> \u2013 the largest all-sky survey of celestial objects to date.\n<\/p>\n \nTo achieve its scientific aims, it points with ultra-high precision, and to enable the control team to monitor spacecraft performance, Gaia regularly reports to the ground information about its current attitude and the stars that have been observed.\n<\/p>\n \nThese engineering data have been accumulated over 18 months and combined to create a \u2018map\u2019 of the observed star densities, from which a beautiful and ghostly virtual image of our magnificent Milky Way galaxy can be discerned, showing the attendant globular clusters and Magellanic clouds.\n<\/p>\n \nWhere there are more stars, as in the Galactic centre, the map is brighter; where there are fewer, the map is darker. The map includes brightness data corresponding to several million stars.\n<\/p>\n \nMore information on Gaia mission operations<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \nEditor\u2019s note: On 21 November, at 15:00 GMT \/ 16:00 CET, the Gaia mission team will host a live \u2018Ask Me Anything\u2019 chat. Details will be posted via ESA social media channels later.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \nESA’s Gaia is surveying stars in our Galaxy and local galactic neighbourhood in order to build the most precise 3D map of the Milky Way and answer questions about its structure, origin and evolution.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n