Fiber-fed spectrographs which are being used for large spectroscopic surveys often feature fast focal ratios and a crowded focal plane. So their data reduction is not trivial. Here we present a description of an entirely automated data reduction train which takes into account all the necessary effects and which is the basis of the survey's results on up to a million observed stars and on properties of the associated interstellar medium. An alternative approach which promises even better results but at an expense of much more computationally expensive procedures has been developed in parallel (Kos et al. 2018, MNRAS, 480, 5475). This work is important for technological development and for obtaining a better experience in handling non-trivial causal chain processes.
F.01 Acquisition of new practical knowledge, information and skills
COBISS.SI-ID: 727425Gaia space mission is primarily focused on our Galaxy. But its results are relevant also for a study of conditions in the cores of active galaxies, where an intense interaction between the central black hole and the surrounds interstellar medium and stars is taking place. This paper presents results of application of this project to such environments.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 907649At first site massive and technologically advanced sky surveys leave little space to relevant observations with small telescopes with metre-sized mirrors. This work makes a very specific proposal on the use of custom photometric filters and shows that such observations with meter-sized telescopes can be used study chemical composition (metallicity and alpha-enhancement) of stars which are too faint for most of the spectroscopic surveys. The proposal attracted significant attention, with first case study to be done in a month in Mexico. We also submitted a related proposal to the European Space Agency.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 908417This is one of the approximately five large scientific outreach papers which have been written by our group and published in the main national newspaper Delo (its section on Science) within the last few years. It discussed the success and profound importance of the latest data release of the Gaia space mission and mentions the role of our group in this project.
D.10 Educational activities
COBISS.SI-ID: 908673Author's views on science are presented in a form of a 25-min TV show which has been shown on the national TV. I shall list this activity under the code of "pedagogical and education work", as it is entirely possible that some of the primary or secondary school pupils or students have been following it. But it is undoubtedly a typical activity which should have been listed as science outreach (similar to the science outreach article above). Unfortunately, judging by the list maintained by the Slovenian research agency, scientific outreach is not considered as a relevant activity for the development of society.
D.10 Educational activities
COBISS.SI-ID: 727681