A deep 2MASS survey of the Lockman Hole

We have carried out a survey of the Lockman Hole covering over 24 deg(2) using the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) observing system in a special mode that reaches roughly 1 mag deeper than the nominal 2MASS survey. The resultant point-source catalog reaches to approximately (J, H, K-s) < ( 17.8, 16.5, 16.0) mag with completeness and reliability in excess of 90%-95% at the faintest levels. These data will be useful in identifying sources in SIRTF surveys of this area. We have cataloged 69,115 objects, almost twice as many as in the nominal 2MASS survey of this region. The sample includes a large number of potential new active galaxies, as well as a T dwarf candidate.