The SSC XID Database

Abstract

The XMM identification (XID) programme is accumulating Optical/IR data to identify thousands of XMM sources at both high ($bII > 20^{\circ}$) and low galactic latitude. X-ray sources are divided into samples on the basis of their X-ray flux and their Galactic latitude. The XID Programme aims to identify and classify around 1000 object in each sample. These in turn, will be used to provide a basis for the statistical identification of the much larger pool of serendipitous objects observed in XMM fields. The purpose of the XID database is to underpin these projects by storing and connecting key information from XMM XID fields and sources, together with (primarily) Optical/IR multi-colour imaging and spectral data from the ground-based follow-up campaign. It should shortly be able to serve as both a support tool for guiding the `ground-based` effort, and permit collation and scientific exploitation of the results.