Infrared point source photometry with DIRBE: Instrument gain stabilization and variable star monitoring

The COBE/DIRBE data archive contains a unique record of bright IR point source observations over the entire sky. This paper reviews the method by which point source photometry is calculated from the DIRBE time‐ordered sky survey data. Also shown are some examples of how this point source photometry is being used to calibrate the gain of the DIRBE photometric system, monitor variable stars, and measure stellar polarization.