The 2MASS Homepage

Explanatory Supplement to the 2MASS All Sky Data Release




Cutri, R.M. (IPAC/Caltech), Skrutskie, M.F. (U.Virginia), Van Dyk, S. (IPAC/Caltech), Beichman, C.A. (JPL), Carpenter, J.M. (Caltech), Chester, T. (IPAC/Caltech), Cambresy, L. (CDS), Evans, T., Fowler, J. (IPAC/Caltech), Gizis, J. (U.Delaware), Howard, E. (UMASS), Huchra, J. (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA), Jarrett, T., Kopan, E.L., Kirkpatrick, J.D., Light, R.M, Marsh, K.A., McCallon, H. (IPAC/Caltech), Schneider, S., Stiening, R. (UMASS), Sykes, M. (U.Arizona), Weinberg, M. (UMASS), Wheaton, W.A., Wheelock, S. (IPAC/Caltech), Zacharias, N. (USNO)

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

  1. 2MASS Overview
  2. The 2MASS Sky
  3. Executive Summary of 2MASS All-Sky Data Products
    1. Point Source Catalog
    2. Extended Source Catalog
    3. Image Products
  4. Distribution Mode for 2MASS Products
  5. Data Release History
  6. Cautionary Notes
    1. General
    2. Point Source Catalog (PSC)
    3. Extended Source Catalog (XSC)
    4. Atlas Images
  7. Acknowledgments
    1. 2MASS Personnel
  8. Referencing 2MASS
    1. 2MASS Source Naming Convention
    2. Acknowledging 2MASS in Publications
  9. Document Change History

II. User's Guide to the 2MASS All Sky Data Release

  1. General Properties of the Data Release
  2. Point Source Catalog
    1. Format
    2. How to Use the 2MASS PSC
    3. Selection Criteria
    4. General Properties
    5. Photometric Properties
    6. Astrometric Properties
    7. Solar System Objects
  3. Extended Source Catalog
    1. Format
    2. How to Use the 2MASS XSC
    3. Selection Criteria
    4. General Properties
    5. Photometric Properties
    6. Size Distribution
    7. Relevant Images
  4. Atlas Images
    1. Atlas Image Header Description
    2. Image Anomalies
  5. Extended Source Postage Stamp Images
  6. Ancillary Files
    1. Scan Information Table Format
    2. Atlas Image Information Table Format
    3. Known Asteroid Detection List
    4. Known Comet Detection List
    5. Known Planet and Satellite Detection List
    6. XSC Coverage Maps
    7. PSC and XSC Anomaly File
    8. All-Sky DVD Release Updates

III. 2MASS Facilities and Operations

  1. Facilities
    1. Telescopes
    2. Camera and Detectors
    3. Observatory Site Conditions
  2. Data Acquisition
    1. Scanning Strategy
    2. Survey Strategy
    3. Sky Coverage
    4. Photometric Calibration Strategy

IV. 2MASS Data Processing

  1. Processing Pipeline Overview
    1. Data Processing Strategy
    2. Nightly Data Processing Steps
    3. Improvements Incorporated in Final Processing (2MAPPS v3.0)
  2. Instrumental Frame Correction
  3. Atlas Image Generation
  4. Point Source Detection and Photometry
    1. Frame Source Detection and Aperture Photometry
    2. Profile-Fit Photometry
    3. Aperture Photometry and Curve of Growth Correction
    4. The Default Magnitude
    5. Band Merging and Bandfills
    6. Optical Source Associations
  5. Extended Source Identification and Photometry
    1. The Extended Source Processor
    2. Summary of Modifications to the Extended Source Processor
    3. Stellar Number Density Metric: "density"
    4. Improved Ellipse Fitting and Isophotal Photometry in Crowded Fields
    5. Large Aperture Photometry: Profile Fitting, Isophotal and Total Magnitudes
    6. Galaxy Photometry Error Tree
    7. Stellar Number Density and Confusion Noise
  6. Position Reconstruction
  7. Artifact Identification
  8. Photometric Calibration
  9. Known Asteroid, Comet, Planet, and Satellite Associations
  10. Quality Assurance

V. Catalog Generation

  1. Overview
  2. Scan Selection
  3. Source Selection
  4. Multiple Source Detection Resolution

VI. Analysis of Release Catalogs

  1. Comparison of Achieved Performance of the All-Sky Release Catalogs with Level 1 Science Specification
  2. Photometric Sensitivity
  3. Global Photometric Properties
  4. 2MASS Photometric System
    1. Absolute Calibration
    2. Color Transformations
  5. Completeness and Reliability
  6. Position Reconstruction Performance
    1. Point Source Catalog Position Reconstruction Performance
    2. Extended Source Catalog Position Reconstruction Performance
    3. Band-Frame Distortion
  7. Galactic Plane Performance
  8. Atlas Image Analysis
    1. Estimating Photometric Errors Using 2MASS Atlas Images

Last modified 2006 April 7. For assistance, contact 2mass@ipac.caltech.edu