<p>Use the <a href="http://skyserver.sdss3.org/dr10/en/tools/search/SQS.aspx" rel="nofollow">Optical Spectra Query Form</a>. You'll want to set PRIMTARGET to "GALAXY". Here's the list of possible parameters it can return <a href="http://skyserver.sdss3.org/dr10/en/help/docs/QS_UserGuide.aspx#Spectroscopy" rel="nofollow">http://skyserver.sdss3.org/dr10/en/help/docs/QS_UserGuide.aspx#Spectroscopy</a>. Note, there is a query limit of 500,000 rows, so you'll have to break up the query since you'll have more spectra than that.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-13T09:32:54.653Z
2014-07-13T09:32:54.653Z
Aaron
<p>I am trying to get some data from the <a href="http://www.sdss3.org/dr10/data_access/" rel="nofollow">Sloan digital sky survey</a> (SDSS). This task turned out to be challenging for me as someone with only little knowledge about astronomy and maybe someone here can help me. What I need is data for all galaxies of the SDSS with their optical spectroscopy and position. </p>

<p>I suppose I need:</p>

<ul>
<li>redshifts</li>
<li>RA (right ascension)</li>
<li>dec (declination)</li>
<li>classifications of all SDSS spectra</li>
</ul>

<p>from the <a href="http://www.sdss3.org/dr10/data_access/bulk.php" rel="nofollow">Optical Spectra Catalog Data</a></p>

<p>I found a script to convert ra/dec/redshift to x/y/z coordinates.
Will I need "the associated photometric position based matches" and "stellar parameter (SSPP) results" to get RA and dec? I have no idea what these are.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-11T18:07:30.830Z
This question may be more appropriate to ask the SDSS collaboration itself:  helpdesk@sdss3.org
NeutronStar
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-11T19:49:39.840Z
Also, the coordinates for galaxies are likely to be in Galactic lat/long, which can be converted to x/y/z given redshift. And even I don't know what the two terms you mentioned are (in spite of having a fair knowledge in astronomy), so, as Joshua mentioned, you would probably be better asking SDSS people this stuff.
Takku
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-13T09:37:01.520Z
"the associated photometric position based matches" = this is a plate image of the sky where the spectrum was taken so you can make sure it's the spectrum of the object you want. "stellar parameter (SSPP) results" = SEGUE Stellar Parameter Pipeline which is an analysis pipeline for stars. I would say no for both.
Aaron
<galaxy><data-analysis><deep-sky-observing><sky-survey>
Sloan digital sky survey galaxies
Manuel Schmidt
# Sloan digital sky survey galaxies

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-07-11)

I am trying to get some data from the [Sloan digital sky survey](http://www.sdss3.org/dr10/data_access/) (SDSS). This task turned out to be challenging for me as someone with only little knowledge about astronomy and maybe someone here can help me. What I need is data for all galaxies of the SDSS with their optical spectroscopy and position.

I suppose I need:

* redshifts
* RA (right ascension)
* dec (declination)
* classifications of all SDSS spectra

from the [Optical Spectra Catalog Data](http://www.sdss3.org/dr10/data_access/bulk.php)

I found a script to convert ra/dec/redshift to x/y/z coordinates.
Will I need "the associated photometric position based matches" and "stellar parameter (SSPP) results" to get RA and dec? I have no idea what these are.

**Tags:** galaxy, data-analysis, deep-sky-observing, sky-survey

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This question may be more appropriate to ask the SDSS collaboration itself:  helpdesk@sdss3.org  
> **username_2**: Also, the coordinates for galaxies are likely to be in Galactic lat/long, which can be converted to x/y/z given redshift. And even I don't know what the two terms you mentioned are (in spite of having a fair knowledge in astronomy), so, as Joshua mentioned, you would probably be better asking SDSS people this stuff.  
> **username_3**: "the associated photometric position based matches" = this is a plate image of the sky where the spectrum was taken so you can make sure it's the spectrum of the object you want. "stellar parameter (SSPP) results" = SEGUE Stellar Parameter Pipeline which is an analysis pipeline for stars. I would say no for both.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-07-13. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Use the [Optical Spectra Query Form](http://skyserver.sdss3.org/dr10/en/tools/search/SQS.aspx). You'll want to set PRIMTARGET to "GALAXY". Here's the list of possible parameters it can return <http://skyserver.sdss3.org/dr10/en/help/docs/QS_UserGuide.aspx#Spectroscopy>. Note, there is a query limit of 500,000 rows, so you'll have to break up the query since you'll have more spectra than that.


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