C2D Perseus Epoch 2: Transient Sources in a Molecular Cloud

The Perseus Transient Sources Catalogs list sources detected above 1.6 mJy in MIPS observations of the Perseus molecular cloud region. This data originates from the Cores to Disks (C2D) Spitzer Legacy Program, which used the Spitzer Space Telescope's IRAC, MIPS, and IRS instruments to observe sources spanning the evolutionary sequence from molecular cores to protoplanetary disks. The catalog was last updated on March 13, —.

Use Cases

• Identify candidate protostars and substellar objects based on infrared flux measurements.
• Study the evolution of circumstellar dust, the raw material for planetary cores, in young systems.
• Analyze transient source activity in a nearby large molecular cloud environment.
• Cross-reference infrared detections with other astronomical surveys for multi-wavelength analysis.

Strengths

• Data from the Spitzer Space Telescope's three instruments (IRAC, MIPS, IRS), a major infrared observatory.
• Focuses on five of the nearest large molecular clouds, providing a localized study.
• Targets systems likely in early stages of planetary formation, with ages up to about 10 million years.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope as part of the Cores to Disks (C2D) Legacy Program.

Time Range

Observations target systems with ages up to about 10 million years.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:13:38.777262; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Perseus molecular cloud region and four other nearby large molecular clouds.