SDWFS: Spitzer Infrared Light Curves for 10 Square Degrees

Four-epoch infrared survey of 10 square degrees in the Boötes field, permitting the first wide-field selection of infrared-variable objects over timescales of years. The SDWFS Light Curve Catalog presents 3.6 and 4.5 micron magnitudes for each source across four epochs, useful for characterizing galaxy evolution beyond z ~ 1.5. This dataset was produced by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope Cycle 4 Legacy project.

Use Cases

• Identify infrared-variable objects based on multi-epoch magnitude data.
• Study galaxy evolution at high redshift (z ~ 3) based on the survey's large volume.
• Detect high proper motion objects using the four-epoch time baseline.
• Analyze cosmic variance impact for rich galaxy systems within the 10 square degree field.

Strengths

• Covers a wide 10 square degree field in the Boötes region.
• Provides four epochs of observations, enabling time-domain analysis over years.
• Sensitive to galaxies out to redshift z ~ 3 with reduced cosmic variance.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Spitzer Space Telescope.

Collection Method

Observations from the IRAC instrument as part of the Spitzer Deep, Wide-Field Survey (SDWFS) Legacy project.

Time Range

Observations conducted across four epochs (timescales of years).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 17:30:37.668355; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Covers 10 square degrees in the Boötes field of the NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey.