New HI Features of the Magellanic System

The first results from the HI Parkes All-Sky Survey (HIPASS) provide a spectacular view of the global HI distribution in the vicinity of the Magellanic Clouds and the southern Milky Way. A 2400 square degree mosaic around the South Celestial Pole (SCP) reveals the existence of a narrow, continuous counter-stream which 'leads' the direction of motion of the Clouds, i.e. opposite in direction to the Stream. This strongly supports the gravitational model for the Stream in which the leading and trailing streams are tidally torn from the body of the Magellanic Clouds. The data also reveal additional tidal features in the Bridge region which appear to emanate from the LMC, and a distinct spiral structure within the LMC itself.