Explanatory Supplement to the 2MASS All Sky Data Release
and Extended Mission Products
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
- 2MASS Overview
- The 2MASS Sky
- Executive Summary of 2MASS All-Sky Data Products
- Distribution Mode for 2MASS Products
- Data Release History
- Cautionary Notes
- Acknowledgments
- Referencing 2MASS
- Document Change History
II. User's Guide to the 2MASS All Sky Data Release
- General Properties of the Data Release
- Point Source Catalog
- Extended Source Catalog
- Atlas Images
- Extended Source Postage Stamp Images
- Ancillary Files
III. 2MASS Facilities and Operations
IV. 2MASS Data Processing
- Processing Pipeline Overview
- Instrumental Frame Correction
- Frame Readouts
- Darks/Electronics Bias Characterization
- Flatfield/Responsivity Characterization
- Frame Calibration Procedure
- Non-Linearity/Saturation Flagging
- Atlas Image Generation
- Point Source Detection and Photometry
- Extended Source Identification and Photometry
- The Extended Source Processor
- Summary of Modifications to the Extended Source Processor
- Stellar Number Density Metric: "density"
- Improved Ellipse Fitting and Isophotal Photometry in Crowded Fields
- Large Aperture Photometry: Profile Fitting, Isophotal and Total Magnitudes
- Galaxy Photometry Error Tree
- Stellar Number Density and Confusion Noise
- Position Reconstruction
- Artifact Identification
- Photometric Calibration
- Known Asteroid, Comet, Planet, and Satellite Associations
- Quality Assurance
V. Catalog Generation
VI. Analysis of Release Catalogs
- Comparison of Achieved Performance of the All-Sky Release Catalogs with Level 1 Science Specification
- Photometric Sensitivity
- Global Photometric Properties
- 2MASS Photometric System
- Completeness and Reliability
- Position Reconstruction Performance
- Galactic Plane Performance
- Atlas Image Analysis
A1. Introduction to the 2MASS Extended Mission and Ancillary Data Products
- Overview
- Executive Summary of the 2MASS Ancillary Data Products
- Distribution Mode for the 2MASS Ancillary Data Products
- Cautionary Notes
- Source Naming Convention
- Auxiliary Tables
A2. Full Survey Image Atlas and Source "Reject" Tables
- Overview
- General Properties
- Scope
- Survey "Reject" Table Contents
- Survey Sky Coverage
- "Reject" Table Reliability
- Photometric and Astrometric Properties
- Survey "Reject" Table and Metadata Table Formats
A3. Long Exposure (6X) Scan Databases, Catalogs and Images
- Overview
- General Properties
- 6x Working Database and Metadata Table Formats
- Data Acquisition
- Data Processing
- 6x Catalog Generation
A4. Calibration Scan Working Databases and Images
- Overview
- General Properties of the Calibration Scan Working Databases
- Calibration Scan Working Database and Metadata Table Formats
- Calibration Point Source Working Database
- Calibration Extended Source Working Database
- Calibration Scan Information Table
- Calibration Scan Data Processing
A5. Working Database Source Reliability Estimation
A6. Merged Working Databases
- Overview
- The Merging Process
- Merged Database Table Formats
- Analysis of Merged Source Information Tables
A7. Combined Calibration Scan Images and Source Lists
- Overview
- Calibration Scan Image Combination
- Source Lists
- Combined Calibration Scan Data Access
- General Properties of the Combined Calibration Field Data
Last modified 2006 November 13. For assistance, contact The IRSA Helpdesk