This page lists all current tables in the MOCA database with their basic descriptions. Click on any table to consult a list of its columns with the associated data format and explanations.
There are 7 types of tables in MOCA, starting with the following prefixes:
- moca_ : Tables listing unique identifiers in the database, such as astrophysical objects, young associations or other quantities, with their relevant informations.
- cat_ : External catalogs from which all columns were transferred in MOCA, usually only for stars that are included in the MOCA database.
- data_ : Tables containing raw data from the literature or from astronomical catalogs.
- calc_ : Tables containing intermediate quantities calculated by MOCA.
- cdata_ : Tables containing a mix of MOCA calculations or raw data from the literature. These tables allow for the adoption of the best available quantity regardless of whether it is a measurement directly from the literature or a MOCA calculation.
- mechanics_ : Tables automatically generated by MOCA as by-products which are not necessarily calculations. One such example would be a list of all designations for a given star, or compiled lists of most likely association members.
- summary_ : Tables that list a large number of properties for a star, a young association, or membership lists.
The usual pipeline for updating MOCA (carried by the admin only) is the inclusion of either new measurements or new claimed memberships in tables starting with data_. Automated batch programs will subsequently pull all available rows in various cat_ tables, propagate relevant measurements from cat_ tables to several data_ tables, and then update all relevant calc_, cdata_, mechanics_ and summary_ tables. The simplified schematic below illustrates this batch process that is executed routinely:
