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Description
We use the multi-epoch, mid-infrared Spitzer Deep Wide-Field Survey (SDWFS; Ashby et al. 2009, Cat. J/ApJ/701/428) to investigate the variability of objects in 8.1deg^2^ of the NOAO Deep Wide Field Survey Bootes field (NDWFS; Jannuzi & Dey 1999ASPC..191..111J). We perform a Difference Image Analysis of the four available epochs between 2004 and 2008, focusing on the deeper 3.6 and 4.5um bands. Out of 474, 179 analyzed sources, 1.1% meet our standard variability selection criteria that the two light curves are strongly correlated (r>0.8) and that their joint variance ({sigma}_12_) exceeds that for all sources with the same magnitude by 2{sigma}. We then examine the mid-IR colors of the variable sources and match them with X-ray sources from the XBootes survey (Murray et al. 2005ApJS..161....1M), radio catalogs (FIRST (Becker et al., Cat. VIII/71) and WSRT (de Vries et al. 2002, Cat. J/AJ/123/1784)), 24um selected active galactic nucleus (AGN) candidates (see Houck et al. 2005ApJ...622L.105H), and spectroscopically identified AGNs from the AGN and Galaxy Evolution Survey (AGES; C. S. Kochanek et al. 2010, in prep). Based on their mid-IR colors, most of the variable sources are AGNs (76%), with smaller contributions from stars (11%), galaxies (6%), and unclassified objects, although most of the stellar, galaxy, and unclassified sources are false positives. For our standard selection criteria, 11%-12% of the mid-IR counterparts to X-ray sources, 24um AGN candidates, and spectroscopically identified AGNs show variability.
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