0630000

AO-6 Key Programme 1: Galactic CentreWe underline the importance of deep and continued observations of the central molecular zone (CMZ) of the Galaxy with INTEGRAL as crucial to gaining a more complete understanding of the origin and nature of the energetic X-rays and gamma-rays detected from this unique part of the Galaxy. We require long cumulative exposure on the CMZ ( +-200 pc or +-1.5 deg from Sgr A* and request 2 Ms per year for 4 years. We point out that given INTEGRALs large field of view (FOV) an observation programme in the standard dithering mode for which the nuclear region is the main target and hencewithin IBIS fully coded FOV will satisfy the interests of many as these central 30 degrees abound in sources of all kinds including that which is responsible for the intense 511 keV line emission. Our primary interests remain the extended emission from the molecularcomplexes of the CMZ including the central compact emission region known as IGR J17456-2901. [truncated! Please see actual data for full text]