Near Infrared Imaging of the Hubble Deep Field with The Keck Telescope

Abstract

Two deep K-band ($2.2 μm$) images, with point-source detection limits of $K=25.2$ mag (one sigma), taken with the Keck Telescope in subfields of the Hubble Deep Field, are presented and analyzed. A sample of objects to K=24 mag is constructed and $V_{606}-I_{814}$ and $I_{814}-K$ colors are measured. By stacking visually selected objects, mean $I_{814}-K$ colors can be measured to very faint levels; the mean $I_{814}-K$ color is constant with apparent magnitude down to $V_{606}=28$ mag.