The VVV Variables (V^4^) catalog

We have developed an automated tool to search for and analyze variable sources in the near-infrared Ks band using the data from the VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) ESO Public Large Survey. This process relies on the characterization of variable sources using different variability indices calculated from time series generated with point-spread function (PSF) photometry of sources under analysis.

In particular, we used two main indices, the total amplitude {Delta}Ks and the eta index {eta}, to identify variable sources. Once the variable objects are identified, periods are determined with generalized Lomb-Scargle periodograms and the information potential metric. Variability classes are assigned according to a compromise between comparisons with VVV templates and the period of the variability.