1.1. What is pgSphere?
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## 1.1. What is pgSphere? #

pgSphere is an extra module for PostgreSQL which adds spherical data types. It provides:

- input and output of data

- containing, overlapping, and other operators

- various input and converting functions and operators

- circumference and area of an object

- spherical transformation

- indexing of spherical data types

- several input and output formats

Hence, you can do a fast search and analysis for objects with spherical attributes as used in geographical, astronomical, or other applications using PostgreSQL. For instance, you can manage data of geographical objects around the world and astronomical data like star and other catalogs conveniently using an `SQL` interface.

The aim of pgSphere is to provide uniform access to spherical data. Because PostgreSQL itself supports a lot of software interfaces, you can now use the same database with different utilities and applications.

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