During the mapping, Gaia will detect and very accurately measure the motion of each star in its orbit around the center of the Galaxy. During its anticipated lifetime of 5 years, Gaia will observe each of its 1b sources 70x, resulting in a record of the brightness and position of each source over time. Together with the unprecedented accuracy of the astrometric measurements, this will lead to the discovery of: planets around other stars, asteroids in our Solar System, icy bodies in the outer Solar System, brown dwarfs, and far-distant supernovae and quasars. The list of Gaia’s potential discoveries makes the mission unique in scope and scientific return.

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