A redshift survey of IRAS galaxies. I. Sample selection

We have extracted a complete all-sky sample of objects, flux-limited at 60 μm from the data base of the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS). The sample consists of 5014 objects, of which 2649 are galaxies and 13 are not yet identified. The sample covers 87.6% of the sky. This is the first paper in a series describing a redshift survey based on this sample, which we use to study the nature of the large-scale distribution of galaxies in the nearby universe. In order to study large-scale structure with this sample, it must be free of systematic biases, and we present our selection procedure in detail. We apply corrections for a major systematic effect in the flux densities listed in the IRAS Point Source Catalog: sources resolved by the IRAS beam have flux densities systematically underestimated. In addition, accurate flux densities are obtained for sources flagged as variable, or of moderate flux quality at 60 μm. The IRAS detectors suffered radiation-induced responsivity enhancement (hysteresis) due to crossings of the satellite scans across the Galaetie plane; this effect is measured and is shown to be negligible.