Near-IR imaging photometry of NGC 1333. I: The embedded PMS stellar population

We present near-IR (NIR) J, H and K mosaic images of the active star forming region associated with the optical reflection nebula NIC 1333. These observations cover an area of 10'x10'and are centered on the energetic outflow source SSV 13. From these data, we have obtained NIR photometry of 134 objects down to a 5σ limiting K magnitude of m k =16.2 and a conservative survey completeness limit of m k =16.0. With the addition of new optical R and I band CCD photometry, and both (sub)mm line and continuum maps, are analyse and discuss the region's morphology and spatial source distribution with additional reference to existing multi-wavelength data. Within the survey field, NGC 1333-S, we find a significant population of young, PMS stars