Near-infrared periodicity in the SPICY catalog
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Context. Infrared (IR) large-sky surveys allow us to study how localized star formation is, enabling searches for young stellar objects (YSOs) not only at the centers of known stellar nurseries but also across the Galactic plane. However, these spatially unbiased searches suffer from contamination, most notably from dusty asymptotic giant branch stars characterized by long-period variability. Aims. Using time-series analysis, and taking advantage of the different variability timescales of YSOs against long-period variables (LPVs), we assess the level of contamination of one of the most spatially unbiased YSO catalogs ( Spitzer /IRAC Candidate YSO, SPICY). Distinguishing between these two groups lets us draw more robust conclusions about the frequency of isolated YSOs in our Galaxy and their implications. Methods. We cross-matched the SPICY and VIRAC2 catalogs (VVV/VVVX Survey), built near-IR light curves for common sources, and computed their periods and amplitudes. Contaminants were identified as sources with periodic flux variations with periods of P ≥ 80 d and amplitudes of Δ K s ≥ 0.35 mag. Results. From 58 737 common sources, we identify 742 SPICY objects as LPV contaminants based on their long-period variability, and identify 307 high-confidence periodic YSO candidates exhibiting short-period flux changes consistent with cool spots. Near- and mid-IR amplitudes are correlated only among LPVs, suggesting a common pulsation origin. In addition, the spatial distribution of the identified populations further supports our classification, with LPVs preferentially associated with the bulge and YSOs at the lowest galactic latitudes.
Source: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,865
OpenAlex ID: W7214926982