Prospects for the Multi Beam ZOA-Survey

The optical deep galaxy survey has reduced the gap of the ZOA and revealed many interesting extragalactic large-scale structures. However, the innermost part of the southern Milky Way remains fully obscured. Here, the MB ZOA-survey will at last allow a view of that area of the extragalactic sky.

The effectiveness of HI-observations of partially obscured galaxies at low latitudes substantiate the high expectations for the MB ZOA-survey. This survey will trace the above discovered structures in full detail - and also delineate the nearby, dynamically important voids. The Hydra-Antlia extension can be followed even across the inner part of the ZOA. An obscured dominant component might still reveal this structure to be a supercluster. The little studied Vela supercluster can be traced. The mapping of the central part of the GA can be completed, revealing whether it merges with the Vela supercluster or bends back towards the Centaurus clusters. The extent and mass of the nearby Puppis cluster ( km , Lahav et al. 1993) can be assessed and the extent of the Ophiuchus cluster close to the Galactic bulge at km (Wakamatsu et al. 1996) and its connections to other supercluster traced. Other important structures, not yet suggested from optical surveys can be mapped in the deepest layers of obscuration.

These revelations all will lead to a better understanding of the galaxy distribution, the underlying mass distribution and the dynamics of the local Universe.

© Copyright Astronomical Society of Australia 1997