H-band observations of the Chandra Deep Field South

We report results of our H-band survey of the Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS). The observations, made with SofI on the NTT, cover 0.027 square degrees to H < 20.5 and 0.17 square degrees to H < 19.8 ( 50% completeness limits). In total, 4819 objects were detected, of which 80% are galaxies based on the SExtractor parameter "stellarity index" having a value less than 0.5. Our astrometric solutions are in good agreement with those of the Las Campanas Infrared Survey (LCIRS), the COMBO-17, and the ESO-EIS surveys. Our photometry compares satisfactorily with the LCIRS results as well as with GOODS data. Galaxy number counts are similar to50 000 galaxies per square degree at H < 20.75, in good agreement with those of LCIRS. The object catalog is published electronically at the CDS**.