Photometry and Polarimetry Of Point-Sources With The COBE(*) /DIRBE Datasets

The COBE DIRBE data archive contains a unique record of bright IR point source observations over the entire sky. Point source photometry (1.25-240 mu m) and polarimetry (1.25-3.5 mu m) derived from these data permit the study of stellar energy distributions, variability, and polarization. This poster reviews the extraction of fluxes of point-sources from the DIRBE time-ordered data, and presents time-series measurements of standard stars that demonstrate the very-high stability of the calibrated DIRBE data. As examples of feasible investigations of variable point-sources, light curves and polarizations of late-type stars will be presented. A 'C' tool now under development will be made available to the community for extracting point-source photometry and polarimetry from the DIRBE time-ordered dataset. The NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is responsible for the design, development, and operation of the COBE mission. Scientific guidance is provided by the COBE Science Working Group. GSFC is also responsible for the production of the mission data sets. The data products are available from the National Space Science Data Center.