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NIR Photometric Standard Stars

Standard star observations are required for NIR photometry. These observations allow the calibration of data acquired into a magnitude or flux scale. Below are links to catalogues of photometric standard stars that can be used with Gemini near-IR imaging instruments. If possible use the UKIRT¹ MKO JHKL&prime M catalogue (Leggett et al. 2003, 2006), as these data are on the same photometric system as the Gemini cameras. The Persson et al. (1998) ² and Hunt et al. (1998)³ JHK catalogues can also be used, but there will be small (up to 3%, or 10% for the Persson red stars) color terms introduced by the use of a different photometric system. Hunt et al. should be used primarily as a source of brighter standards. See the camera web pages for guides to appropriate calibrator magnitudes.

Quick Links:

Detailed Descriptions of Catalogs:

1 to 5 microns (J, H, K, L&prime , M) UKIRT Mauna Kea Observatory Photometric Standards

Leggett et al. (2006, MNRAS in press; 2003, MNRAS 345, 144) present J, H, K, L&prime and M magnitudes on the Mauna Kea Observatory infrared photometric system. JHK data are presented for 114 stars, including 79 UKIRT faint standards, and 42 Persson standards. Average uncertainty is 0.011 magnitudes, and the stars range in brightness from 10th to 15th magnitude. L&prime and M data are given for 46 and 31 stars respectively. The average uncertainty is 0.015 mag for the bright L&prime standards and 0.025 mag for the fainter L&prime standards, and 0.026 mag for the M standards. The full electronic version of the Leggett et al. L&prime M (2003) paper and Leggett et al. JHK (2006) paper give more information. The complete dataset can be viewed at the following link:

UKIRT MKO JHKL&prime M Catalogue.

1 to 2.5 microns (J, H, K) Hunt et al. (1998) Photometric Standards

Hunt et al. (1998, AJ 115, 2594) reported J, H and K observations of 86 stars in 40 northern hemisphere fields containing UKIRT Faint Standards. K magnitudes range from 8.5 to 14 and J-K colours from -0.2 to 1.2. Typical errors on the photometric results are 0.012 magnitudes. The full electronic version of the Hunt et al. (1998) paper contains finding charts for all sources observed. The full catalogue of sources, coordinates and photometry can be viewed at the following link:

Hunt et al. (1998) Catalogue

1 to 2.5 microns (J, H, K, Ks) Persson et al. (1998) Photometric Standards

Persson et al. (1998, AJ 116, 2475) reported J, H, K and Ks observations 65 faint stars forming a grid of faint near-IR photometric standards. The stars have K magnitudes between 10 and 12 and are measured to a precision of 0.001 magnitudes. A secondary list of 27 red stars suitable for the determination of colour transformations is also presented. Note these red stars will require a large (up to 10%) color correction to get them onto the Gemini MKO photometric system (see discussion in the Leggett et al. JHK (2006) paper). Avoid S705-D which may be variable (Leggett et al. 2006). The full electronic electronic version of the Persson et al. (1998) paper contains finding charts for all sources observed.

Persson et al. (1998) - Primary 65 faint standards
Persson et al. (1998) - Secondary 27 red standards
Persson et al. (1998) - Finder charts for red standards 1 - 15
Persson et al. (1998) - Finder charts for red standard 16 - 27

¹ We acknowledge the Joint Astronomy Centre, Hawaii (JAC) and the United Kingdom InfraRed Telescope (UKIRT) for the reproduction of their photometric standard star catalogues.
²We acknowledge E. Persson, Astronomical Journal and the Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington for the reproduction of the Persson et al. (1998) catalogues.
³We acknowledge L. Hunt, Astronomical Journal and Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri for the reproduction of the Hunt et al. (1998) catalogue.

Last update October 5th 2006, Sandy Leggett; previously February 8th 2005 by T. Geballe & Andrew Stephens