VSA Coverage Maps

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4-6th Oct 2024
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VISTA Coverage Maps

The coverage maps for each VISTA survey are provided below in Multi Order Coverage format (as .fits files), which is based on HEALPix partitioning of regions. Each VISTA survey has maps for each data release in individual passbands as well as maps of "complete" coverage (areas observed in all the discrete passbands) or "any" coverage (areas observed in at least one passband). These maps are generated from the source tables from the different VISTA surveys, and do not represent exact pixel coverage. They are available in both high and low resolution levels, whereby the high resolution maps provide more accurate coverage information (at the cost of slower visualization performance). Coverage maps have also been generated for surveys mirrored at WFAU, such as SDSS, but these maps are not based on individual passbands and instead simply represent areas where each particular survey has point source data.

How to Use

Opening the Maps (click here to see instructions)

These coverage maps can be viewed in the Aladin software tool. They can be layered and compared to visually identify areas of coverage. The simplest and fastest way to do this is to download and start up the Aladin software, and then reload this page in a SAMP compatible web browser (Firefox 3.6+, Chrome 7.0+, Internet Explorer 8+, and Safari 5.0+). SAMP is a software communication protocol developed by the IVOA that allows different astronomy related software tools to interact, and it is built into the Aladin software. Once Aladin is running use the collapsible lists on this webpage to locate the maps you wish to view. If SAMP is working you will see buttons next to each map, and clicking on these buttons with send the maps directly to Aladin for viewing (the first time you do this you will receive a warning message from Aladin, and you need to click "yes"). If your browser is not SAMP capable, or you want to keep a copy of the map for yourself, simply use the standard "Download" links provided to save a copy on your computer.
Changing the Visualization (click here to see instructions)

Once the map(s) are loaded into Aladin you can pan and zoom to view different parts of the sky. By default, the maps are displayed in a wireframe format that allows easy manipulation but also can make it hard to locate small regions of non-coverage within larger regions. To fix this: right click on the desired layer (map) and select "Properties", and in the dialog box change the "Drawing Method" to "solid frame". You can also change the color of the layer in this dialog box. When displayed in solid frame format gaps in coverage are easily identifiable as whitespace, though you may have to zoom in to locate them.

Also note that it is more difficult to spot coverage gaps at lower zoom levels in the high resolution maps. These gaps are easier to see from a distance in the low resolution maps, though the accuracy of coverage area is also lower.

When the maps first open in Aladin they might not be visible, as the view is centred somewhere outside the coverage area. To jump to an area where coverage is visible use the "Recentre" button provided on this page for each map. It can also help to turn on the "grid" overlay for easier visual navigation bu clicking on the "grid" button on the bottm left side of the Aladin viewer.

Maps Available

VISTA Surveys
- VISTA Hemisphere Survey (VHS)
  - DR6
    - Any Band (coverage in Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR4
    - Any Band (coverage in Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR3
    - Any Band (coverage in Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR2
    - Any Band (coverage in Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR1
    - Any Band (coverage in Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
- VISTA Magellanic Cloud Survey (VMC)
  - DR4
    - Any Band (coverage in Y or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Y and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - 2015-12-18 (Proprietary)
    - Any Band (coverage in Y or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Y and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - 2015-03-09 (Proprietary)
    - Any Band (coverage in Y or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Y and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR3
    - Any Band (coverage in Y or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Y and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR2
    - Any Band (coverage in Y or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Y and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR1
    - Any Band (coverage in Y or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Y and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
- VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea Survey (VVV)
  - DR5
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR4
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR2
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR1
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
- VISTA Kilo-Degree Infrared Galaxy Survey (VIKING)
  - DR5
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - 2015-12-30 (Proprietary)
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - 2015-04-21 (Proprietary)
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR4
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR3
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR2
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
- VISTA Deep Extragalactic Observations Survey (VIDEO)
  - DR4
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR3
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - DR2
    - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - All Bands (coverage in Z or Y and H and J and Ks): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ks Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res

Other WFAU Hosted Surveys
- UHS Surveys
  - Latest UHS Release - DR2
    - Ukirt Hemisphere Survey (UHS)
      - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Source Any Bands: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Source All Bands: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
- UKIDSS Surveys
  - Latest Public UKIDSS Release - DR11
    - Large Area Survey (LAS)
      - Any Band (coverage in Y or H or J1 or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - All Bands (coverage in Y and H and J1 and K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Galactic Plane Survey (GPS)
      - Any Band (coverage H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - All Bands (coverage in H and J and K1): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K_1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K_2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Galactic Cluster Survey (GCS)
      - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - All Bands (coverage in Z and Y and H and J and K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Deep Extra-galactic Survey (DXS)
      - Any Band (coverage in H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J and K Bands (coverage in J and K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ultra Deep Survey (UDS)
      - Any Band (coverage in H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - Previous Public UKIDSS Release - DR10
    - Large Area Survey (LAS)
      - Any Band (coverage in Y or H or J1 or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - All Bands (coverage in Y and H and J1 and K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Galactic Plane Survey (GPS)
      - Any Band (coverage H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - All Bands (coverage in H and J and K1): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K_1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K_2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Galactic Cluster Survey (GCS)
      - Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - All Bands (coverage in Z and Y and H and J and K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Deep Extra-galactic Survey (DXS)
      - Any Band (coverage in H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J and K Bands (coverage in J and K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - Ultra Deep Survey (UDS)
      - Any Band (coverage in H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - K Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
- OmegaCAM Surveys
  - VPHAS
    - DR3
      - Any Band (coverage in G or Ha or I or R1 or R2 or U): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - All Bands (coverage in G and Ha and I and R1 and R2 and U): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - G Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - I Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Ha Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - R1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - R2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - U Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
  - ATLAS
    - DR1
      - Any Band (coverage in G or I or R or U or Z): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - All Bands (coverage in G and I and R and U and Z): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - G Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - I Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - R Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - U Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - DR2
      - Any Band (coverage in G or I or R or U or Z): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - All Bands (coverage in G and I and R and U and Z): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - G Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - I Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - R Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - U Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
    - DR3
      - Any Band (coverage in G or I or R or U or Z): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - All Bands (coverage in G and I and R and U and Z): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - G Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - I Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - R Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - U Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
      - Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
- Other Surveys Mirrored by WFAU
  - Deep Near-Infrared Survey (DENIS): Downloads - High Res,
  - Exp�rience pour la Recherche d'Objets Sombres (EROS)
    - EROS 2LMC: Downloads - High Res,
    - EROS 2SMC: Downloads - High Res,
    - EROS LMC: Downloads - High Res,
    - EROS SMC: Downloads - High Res,
  - Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty-cm (FIRST): Downloads - High Res,
  - Glimpse Survey
    - Glimpse 1 (incl. HRC and MCA Inter): Downloads - High Res,
    - Glimpse 2 : Downloads - High Res,
  - Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS): Downloads - High Res,
  - MACHO Survey
    - LMC Source Downloads - High Res,
    - SMC Source Downloads - High Res,
  - Magellanic Cloud Photometric Survey (MCPS)
    - MCPS LMC Source Downloads - High Res,
    - MCPS SMC Source Downloads - High Res,
  - Millennium Galaxy Catalogue (MGC): Downloads - High Res,
  - ROSAT
    - ROSAT Bright Source Downloads - High Res,
    - ROSAT Faint Source Downloads - High Res,
  - Sloan Digital Sky Survey DR8 (SDSS): Downloads - High Res,
  - Sloan Digital Sky Survey DR9 (SDSS): Downloads - High Res,
  - Spitzer Space Telescope: Downloads - High Res,
  - 2XMM Survey: Downloads - High Res,
  - Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE): Downloads - High Res,

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3/3/2022