Near-infrared camera and multi-object spectrometer observations of the Hubble Deep Field: Observations, data reduction, and galaxy photometry

This paper presents data obtained during the NICMOS Guaranteed Time Observa tions of a portion of the Hubble Deep Field. The data are in a catalog form at similar to the publication of the original WFPC2 Hubble Deep Field progr am (Williams et al.). The catalog contains 342 objects in a 49." 1 x 48." 4 subfield of the total observed field, 235 of which are considered coincide nt with objects in the WFPC2 catalog. The 3 sigma signal-to-noise ratio lev el is at an aperture AB magnitude of approximately 28.8 at 1.6 mu m. The ca talog sources, listed in order of right ascension, are selected to satisfy a limiting signal-to-noise ratio criterion of greater than or equal to 2.5. This introduces a few false detections into the catalog, and users should take careful note of the completeness and reliability levels for the catalo g discussed in 9 and 10. The catalog also contains a test parameter indicat ing the results of half-catalog tests and the degree of coincidence with th e original WFPC2 catalog.