Introduction to a Further Examination of the Hipparcos Data

Abstract

We present an introduction to four papers on further analysis of the raw Hipparcos data. This analysis has lead to the recognition of how orbit, radiation and temperature conditions did or didn't affect the scientific results of the Hipparcos mission. It also led the way to a new reduction of the scientific data that shows from its initial results a real potential for a substantial improvement of the astrometric parameters for stars brighter than V=8.5. This short paper serves as an introduction to the four main papers, and provides some general references.