K2 Names Table Data Column Definitions

The following tables list all of the data columns in the K2 Names Table that can be returned through the NASA Exoplanet Archive's TAP service and displayed in the interactive table.

Please note: The K2 Names Table's (k2names) database column names were changed in April 2021, so queries developed before the redesign will not return the most current data. The table has also been transitioned to the archive's TAP service. To build a query, review the TAP User Guide and use the database column names on this page. Columns that have been discontinued or re-named are noted where applicable.

Additional links:

Questions about the structure and use of this table in the archive format should be submitted through the Exoplanet Archive's Helpdesk. Questions about the content descriptions should be sent to MAST.

Target Labels and Flags

Database Column Name Table Label Description Notes
epic_id† EPIC ID Target identification number, as listed in the Ecliptic Plane Input Catalog (EPIC). Previously known as epic_host

k2_campaign†
(interactive table)

or

k2_campaign_str†
(API queries)

K2 Campaign number

The K2 Campaign number for this target.

Note: When constructing API queries, use k2_campaign_str. When downloading values from the interactive table, the column appears as k2_campaign. Also, E refers to the Engineering campaign in both the API and interactive table download files. (To filter on E campaigns in the interactive table, enter -1.)

No longer used
k2_name† K2 Name K2 number name of the form "K2-N" plus a lower-case letter identifying the planet. In general, these numbers are easier to remember than the corresponding EPIC designations and are intended to clearly indicate a class of objects that have been confirmed or validated as planets—a step up from the planet candidate designation.  
pl_name† Default Name The planet name as used in the Exoplanet Archive confirmed planet table. Previously known as alt_name
k2_kepmag† Stellar Kepler Magnitude Value Brightness of the host star in the Kepler-band in units of magnitudes No longer used
tm_designation† 2MASS Name 2MASS designation from the 2MASS point source catalog (Skrutskie et al. 2006, ApJ, 131, 1163). No longer used
last_update† Date of Last Update Date of last update for this Kepler planet No longer used
† Default column: these columns display in the interactive table when the table is first loaded, and when Reset Filters is clicked.

Ecliptic Plane Input Catalog (EPIC) Parameters

Database Column Name Table Label Description Notes
ra_str† RA [decimal degrees] EPIC Right Ascension No longer used
dec_str† Dec [decimal degrees] EPIC Declination No longer used
ra RA [decimal degrees] EPIC Right Ascension No longer used
dec Dec [decimal degrees] EPIC Declination No longer used
† Default column: these columns display in the interactive table when the table is first loaded, and when Reset Filters is clicked.

<strike>NOTE: For the K2 Names and K2 Targets tables, the Two-Wheel Engineering Test data are designated as Campaign E. To enable sorting, this Campaign is displayed as E, but the interactive table sorting and filtering defines the Campaign as -1.

Here are a few tips on searching this field (see the user guide for general help on sorting and filtering interactive tables):

For interactive tables:

  • When using the using the arrows at the top of the columns, sorting will list the campaigns in temporal order (E,0,1, etc).
  • To see only the engineering campaign, enter -1 in the text box.
  • To see only Campaign 1, enter '1' in the text box. Use single quotes in your entered string.
  • To see Campaigns E,0 and 1, enter <2 in the text box.

For the API:

  • Add &order=k2_campaign to sort by campaings in temporal order (E,0,1, etc).
  • To select only the engineering campaign, add &where=k2_campaign=-1 or &where=k2_campaign_str='E'
  • To see Campaigns E,0 and 1, enter add &where=k2_campaign<2


Last updated: 19 April 2021