Star counts up to limiting magnitude K_s from 2MASS data (top left) compared with fitted 1 ellipsoid model B (top right), residuals (N_mod − N_obs)/N_obs (bottom left), and difference divided by the Poissonian counting error of the model (i.e. (N_obs − N_mod)/ (bottom right). In the residual map, contours are drawn at intervals of 20% model overestimate (black) and 20% model underestimate (white). The 1-ellipsoid model leaves significant X-shaped residuals. Near the Galactic centre the nuclear bar population is missing in the model. The residuals in the outer regions are not very significant due to the small number of stars in each bin (seen in the top left panel in dark violet and black).