Simulating multiple stars in preparation for Gaia

Abstract

The scientific preparation of the Gaia mission encompasses both the data reduction algorithms and the generation of simulated data which have to be as realistic as possible. In this respect, binaries and multiple stars are a mandatory component in the simulation of the Milky Way as they impact on the performance tests of the on-ground data processing. The ingredients for the simulation of multiple stars are described and the predictions are compared to observed data or outcomes from stellar multiplicity studies. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.