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The COBE Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) and the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) both surveyed the sky in broad photometric bands nominally at wavelengths of 12, 25, 60, and 100 $\mu$m. The products of these surveys are publicly available and are the foundations for a number of astronomical studies. It is thus important to understand these two similar photometric systems, particularly as the IRAS Sky Survey Atlas (ISSA) and other IRAS extended--emission data products are essential when spatial resolution better than the DIRBE's $42^{\prime} \times 42^{\prime}$ field of view is needed.
This poster reports the results from a comparison of DIRBE and IRAS photometry. A major result, found by comparing the IRAS Zodiacal Observation History File scans to DIRBE observations made at matching solar elongation angles, is that the quoted intensities are well--described by an equation of the form $I_{\nu}(DIRBE) = G_{\nu} I_{\nu}(IRAS) \, + \, O_{\nu}$ at all four wavelengths. Gain ($G_{\nu}$) and offset ($O_{\nu}$) parameters are presented, and practical advice is offered to researchers who may wish to apply a correction to the IRAS extended emission intensities.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC) is responsible for the design, development, and operation of the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE). Scientific guidance is provided by the COBE Science Working Group. The COBE program is supported by the Astrophysics Division of NASA's Office of Space Science. The COBE and IRAS data products may be obtained from the NSSDC.
