Herschel H-ATLAS Counterpart Catalog for 161.6 Square Degrees

H-ATLAS DR1 provides a catalog of potential optical counterparts for SPIRE-detected submillimeter sources across 161.6 square degrees of sky. The main catalog contains the 'best' candidate ID for each source, while a secondary catalog lists all possible counterparts with full likelihood ratio statistics. Users can filter for reliable optical IDs using a recommended Reliability threshold of >0.8.

Use Cases

• Identify reliable optical counterparts for SPIRE sources by applying a Reliability >0.8 cut to the likelihood ratio statistics.
• Analyze the distribution of potential counterparts within the search radius of each SPIRE source using the full LR statistics catalog.
• Cross-match H-ATLAS SPIRE sources with GAMA spectroscopic survey data for the three equatorial fields.

Strengths

• Covers a significant 161.6 square degree area observed in five photometric bands (100, 160, 250, 350, 500 microns).
• Provides a curated 'best' candidate ID catalog and a comprehensive catalog with all possible counterparts and full LR statistics for independent analysis.
• Includes data from three fields on the celestial equator previously covered by the GAMA spectroscopic survey.

Limitations

• The catalog focuses on potential counterparts; definitive identifications require user analysis and reliability cuts.
• Data is limited to three specific equatorial fields, not the full planned 600 square degree H-ATLAS survey area.
• The raw description does not specify the total number of SPIRE sources or counterpart candidates, limiting assessment of sample size.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Observations from the Herschel Space Observatory using PACS and SPIRE cameras, processed for the H-ATLAS Data Release 1.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Covers three fields on the celestial equator (total area 161.6 deg^2).