Radial Velocity Standard Stars for the Gaia RVS

Abstract

The calibration of the Radial Velocity Zero-Point (RVZP) of the Radial Velocity Spectrometer (RVS) will be performed with the help of Radial Velocity (RV) standard stars and asteroids. A full-sky list of RV standard stars candidates has been built for this purpose within the Development Unit (DU) 640 of the Gaia DPAC Consortium. A ground-based campaign of RV observations has been initiated to eliminate unsuitable candidates. Simulations have also been performed in order to estimate in advance the number of RV standard stars and asteroids crossing the RVS field of view. These standard stars and asteroids will also be very helpful for controlling any harmful effect (especially the CCD radiation damage) on calibration and RVZP during the lifetime of the Gaia project. Kinematic RV are expected to be published at the end of the project for the brightest stars, taking into account gravitational redshift and convective shifts for the lines present in the RVS spectral wavelength range.