Abstract

Aims. We searched for variable stars in deep V-band images of a field towards the Galactic plane in Carina. Methods. The images were taken with the VIMOS instrument at ESO VLT during 4 contiguous nights in April 2005. We detected 348 variables among 50 897 stars in the magnitude range between V = 15.4and V = 24.5 mag. After detection, we classified the variables by a direct eye inspection of their light curves. Results. All variable objects besides 9 OGLE transits in the field are new discoveries. We provide a complete catalog of all variables, which includes eclipsing/ellipsoidal binaries, miscellaneous pulsators (mostly d Scuti-type variables), stars with flares, and other (irregular and likely long-period) variables. Only two of the stars in our sample are known to host planets. Conclusions. Our result has implications for future large variability surveys. © ESO 2009.