Data Release 4 of Images and Source Lists from VVV

Published: 06 Feb 2017
VVV JHKs image of centre of Milky Way

The VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) survey fourth data release (DR4) provides VISTA tile images and source lists in ZYJHKs filters, processed by the Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit (CASU), for a total sky coverage of 560 square degrees. DR4 contains science data products from observations in the period 1 October 2013 – 15 October 2015, and also science data products from observations in September 2010 to September 2013 not included in the previous release.

VVV DR4 extends the time series of observations in Ks-band over the entire VVV area. It also includes a second epoch of contemporaneous observations in J, H and Ks, and separately in Z, Y, in order to monitor the colour variability of VVV sources. These new products are in addition to the multi-colour data taken at the beginning of the survey. DR4 also includes higher cadence observations for 8 tiles within the survey region. These pointings have up to 320 to 330 epochs, covering the entire survey duration from 2010 to 2015. Detailed information on the multi-epoch observations and the science data products are provided in the release description.

This release contains 11452 tile images, which add to the 18011 images published in VVV DR3. Including the image products, the source lists and the associated confidence maps, the total volume is about 8 TB (uncompressed FITS format). Products can be browsed and downloaded via the Phase 3 query form.