2MASS Combined Calibration Field Source Table: Photometric Reference Stars

The 2MASS survey used 35 regular calibration fields near declinations of -30°, 0°, and +30°, plus five fields in the Magellanic Clouds. This table contains averaged positions, aperture photometry, uncertainties, and quality flags for sources detected in these fields, which were scanned between 562 and 3,692 times. It was produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and last updated in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Calibrating photometric zero points for other surveys based on the repeated observations of standard stars.
• Validating source detection and photometric stability in the 2MASS All-Sky Point and Extended Source Catalogs using the provided cross-references.
• Studying atmospheric extinction coefficients derived from long-term 2MASS observations mentioned in the description.
• Analyzing the photometric properties of sources in the special Magellanic Cloud fields observed 108 to 468 times.

Strengths

• High observational redundancy, with regular fields scanned between 562 and 3,692 times in photometric conditions.
• Includes averaged measurements from both north-going and south-going combined images for improved reliability.
• Covers a specific grid of 35 regular fields and 5 special fields, providing structured calibration coverage.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect temporal and geographic bias inherent to the 2MASS survey's operational period and field locations.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Photometric calibration performed using repeated observations of standard stars in defined calibration fields during the 2MASS survey.

Time Range

Observations conducted during the 2MASS survey operations; special Magellanic Cloud fields observed between November 2000 and February 2001.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 16:34:27.729696; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Calibration fields distributed near declinations of -30°, 0°, and +30°, plus fields in and around the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds.