GLIMPSE 3D: Galactic Plane Infrared Point Source Catalog

GLIMPSE3D is a catalog of infrared point sources from the Spitzer Space Telescope's IRAC instrument, mapping vertical extensions of the Galactic plane. The dataset is a subset of a larger archive, with sources meeting a signal-to-noise threshold and photometric uncertainty typically below 0.3 magnitudes. It was produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and last updated in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Modeling the vertical structure of the Galactic disk based on the mapped extensions up to |b| < 4.2°.
• Studying stellar populations using infrared point source photometry with specified signal-to-noise criteria.
• Analyzing interstellar medium features within the covered regions of the Galactic plane.
• Comparing source properties between the GLIMPSE3D Catalog and its parent Archive due to differing selection criteria.

Strengths

• Photometric uncertainty is typically less than 0.3 magnitudes, indicating precise measurements.
• Covers specific vertical extensions of the Galactic plane, generally up to |b| < 3° and up to |b| < 4.2° in the center.
• Part of a coordinated series of large-area mapping projects (GLIMPSEI, II, 3D) from the Spitzer Space Telescope.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect observational bias inherent to the Spitzer IRAC instrument and the specific Galactic regions targeted.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Observational data from the Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Array Camera (IRAC).

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 18:11:18.807140; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Selected regions of the Galactic plane, with vertical extensions generally up to |b| < 3°, and up to |b| < 4.2° in the Galactic center.