SHELA Epoch 2: Infrared Galaxy Catalog for 24 Square Degrees

The Spitzer/HETDEX Exploratory Large-Area (SHELA) Epoch 2 IRAC Catalog provides infrared photometric data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. It covers approximately 24 square degrees at 3.6 and 4.5 microns, overlapping with the SDSS Stripe 82, HETDEX, and Dark Energy Survey regions. The catalog is 80% complete to a limiting magnitude of 22.0 AB mag and reaches a sensitivity of 1.1 microJy.

Use Cases

• Model galaxy spectral energy distributions based on 3.6 and 4.5 micron photometry.
• Conduct statistical studies of galaxy populations across a 24 square degree survey area.
• Cross-match infrared sources with optical data from the overlapping SDSS Stripe 82 region.
• Analyze source completeness and sensitivity for survey design based on the provided magnitude and flux limits.

Strengths

• Covers a large area of approximately 24 square degrees.
• Provides dual-band infrared photometry at 3.6 and 4.5 microns.
• Reaches a defined sensitivity of 1.1 microJy and an 80% completeness limit of 22.0 AB mag.
• Overlaps with multiple major survey footprints (SDSS, HETDEX, DES) for multi-wavelength studies.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data is stored in a BIN format, which may require specialized tools for access and analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

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

Time Range

Epoch 2, specific observation dates are not provided.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 19:29:16.406449; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Sky coverage within the Sloan Digital Sky Survey 'Stripe 82' region.