Near-infrared images of IRAS galaxies

A complete subsample for imaging in the near infrared of 43 far-infrared galaxies (FIRGs) was chosen from the IRAS Point Source Catalogue. Selection criterion was an IRAS spectrum that is typical of FIRGs. 21 of 43 galaxies were observed at the 2.2-m-telescope at La Silla, Chile. Direct images in I (0.82 μm), H (1.65 μm) and K (2.2 μm) were obtained using a CCD, and a 32 × 32 IR-array camera with a resolution of 0″82 per pixel. Deep images (> 18 mag/□″ in K) were achieved by coadding. A correlation between the NIR and FIR emission of the observed galaxies has been found. A comparison of morphology within the different filters shows a high correspondence of structure on global scales while there are quite often deviations on small scales