Astronomical Images, Data and Permissions

Authors must have the right to publish every image, dataset, map, spectrum, catalogue extract or other third-party item included with a manuscript.

Identification and credit

Captions should identify the object or field, wavelength or filter, instrument, facility or mission, processing method and data credit where relevant. Required observatory, mission and archive acknowledgements must be included.

Scientific image integrity

Adjustments must be applied consistently and must not create, remove or obscure scientifically relevant features. Cropping, mosaics, stacking, deconvolution, interpolation and other consequential processing should be described. Representative-colour and composite images must be labelled clearly.

Permissions

Obtain written permission for third-party material unless reuse is already permitted by law or licence. Authors are responsible for documenting limits on reproduction or redistribution.