MSX6C: Midcourse Space Experiment Infrared Point Source Catalog, Version 2.3

Version 2.3 of the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) Point Source Catalog (PSC) supersedes the 1999 release and contains over 100,000 more sources. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration produced this catalog, with photometry based on co-added image plates for improved sensitivity and reliability. Its astrometric accuracy is more than 1'' better than the previous version, and it includes data from the Small Magellanic Cloud, eight nearby galaxies, and several molecular clouds and star-forming regions.

Use Cases

• Cross-matching infrared sources with other astronomical catalogs based on improved astrometric accuracy.
• Analyzing infrared flux properties of sources in the Galactic plane and Magellanic Clouds.
• Studying star formation regions and molecular clouds using the newly included data areas.
• Comparing source sensitivity and reliability with previous catalog versions based on co-added photometry.

Strengths

• Contains over 100,000 more sources than the previous 1999 version (1.2).
• Astrometric accuracy is more than 1'' better than the previous catalog version.
• Photometry is based on co-added image plates, which suggests improved sensitivity and flux reliability.
• Expanded spatial coverage includes the Small Magellanic Cloud, eight nearby galaxies, and several molecular clouds.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• File formats are BIN and HTML, which may require specialized tools for data access.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Photometry based on co-added image plates from the Midcourse Space Experiment.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 19:18:03.229860; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Covers the Galactic plane, Areas Missed by IRAS, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, eight nearby galaxies, and several molecular clouds and star-forming regions.