A deep near-infrared view of the Galactic globular cluster 2 MASS GC 02

Context. We have obtained deep infrared images and k-band spectra of the Galactic globular cluster 2 MASS GC 02. A variable star search has also been carried out. Aims. Some basic physical properties of the cluster, such as metallicity, reddening, distance modulus and radial velocity, are derived. Methods. These measurements are based on an analysis of the J - K_s versus K_s color-magnitude diagram of the cluster. Spectroscopically derived metallicities and radial velocities of 15 stars are presented. In addition, periods and amplitudes are provided for five RR Lyrae stars discovered in the field. Results. The cluster is moderately metal-rich and has a relatively high radial velocity. Its horizontal branch appears to be predominantly red, though our photometry cannot rule out the presence of a blue component as seen in NGC 6388 and NGC 6441. Similar to these two clusters, the detected RR Lyrae stars in GC 02 have anomalously long periods for the cluster's moderately high metallicity, which suggests that it too is an Oosterhoff type III cluster. Conclusions. Comparison with the existing kinematic and abundance information for the Galactic globular clusters shows that GC 02 most probably belongs to the bulge sub population, although an inner halo association cannot be ruled out.