PEP SPIRE 250 Micron: Herschel Infrared Source Catalog for Deep Fields

The PACS Evolutionary Probe (PEP) is a Herschel guaranteed time deep extragalactic survey targeting six blank fields, ten lensing clusters, and two z~1 clusters. It includes SPIRE observations at 250, 350, and 500 microns for the two clusters, with catalogs listing sources above a 3 sigma signal-to-noise threshold. The data was produced by NASA and last updated in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Identify infrared sources in deep extragalactic fields based on the blind PSF-fitting extraction method.
• Analyze source fluxes at 250, 350, and 500 micron wavelengths mentioned in the description.
• Study galaxy clusters and lensing clusters targeted by the survey.
• Assess source reliability using the provided 3 sigma signal-to-noise threshold and flux caution levels.

Strengths

• Sources are extracted using PSF-fitting on direct noise maps and observed PSFs.
• Catalogs include all sources above a defined 3 sigma signal-to-noise threshold.
• Provides specific flux caution levels (0.6 mJy in green band, 2.0 mJy in red band) for user guidance.

Limitations

• Error estimates do not account for confusion noise, as noted in the description.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Data from the Herschel Space Observatory, processed using the Starfinder IDL code for blind PSF-fitting extraction.

Time Range

Observations likely from the Herschel mission operational period (2009-2013).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03 13 20:10:36.469669; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Targets six blank fields, ten lensing clusters of galaxies, and two z~1 clusters (extragalactic).