GAIA: The 3D Milky Way Mapper

Abstract: GAIA (originally the acronym for Global Astrometric Interferometer for Astrophysics) is a mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) which will make the largest, most precise three dimensional map of our Galaxy by an unparalleled survey of one per cent of the galaxy's population of 100 billion stars to the precision of micro arcseconds. This article will briefly review Gaia, the data releases and the possible implications of this mission. The reader will be introduced to the DR1 and DR2 data releases and the scientific outcomes of DR1 as a forerunner to the much awaited DR2 of this one-of-a-kind mission.