Galaxy candidates in the Zone of Avoidance

Abstract

Motivated by recent discoveries of nearby galaxies in the Zone of Avoidance (ZOA), we conducted a pilot study of galaxy candidates at low galactic latitude, near galactic longitude l ∼135°, where the Supergalactic plane is crossed by the Galactic plane. We observed with the 1-m Wise Observatory in the l band 17 of the ‘promising’ candidates identified by visual examination of Palomar red plates by Hau et al. A few candidates were also observed in R or B bands, or had spectroscopic observations performed at the Isaac Newton Telescope and at the Wise Observatory. Our study suggests that there are probably 10 galaxies in this sample. We also identify a probable planetary nebula. The final confirmation of the nature of these sources must await the availability of full spectroscopic information. The success rate of ∼50 per cent in identifying galaxies at galactic latitude ǀbǀ < 5° indicates that the ZOA is a promising region to discover new galaxies.