Mid-IR photometric monitoring of the ONC

During Fall 2009 we obtained 81 epochs of Spitzer 3.6 and 4.5um data over 40 consecutive days. We extracted light curves with ~3% photometric accuracy for ~2000 ONC members ranging from several solar masses down to well below the hydrogen-burning mass limit.

For many of the stars, we also have time-series photometry obtained at optical (Ic) and/or near-infrared (JKs) wavelengths. Our data set can be mined to determine stellar rotation periods, identify new pre-main-sequence eclipsing binaries, search for new substellar Orion members, and help better determine the frequency of circumstellar disks as a function of stellar mass in the ONC. Our primary focus is the unique ability of 3.6 and 4.5um variability information to improve our understanding of inner disk processes and structure in the Class I and II young stellar objects (YSOs).