The SARAO MeerKAT 1.3 GHz Galactic Plane Survey

We present the SARAO MeerKAT Galactic Plane Survey (SMGPS), a 1.3 GHz continuum survey of almost half of the Galactic Plane (251° ≤l ≤ 358° and 2° ≤l ≤ 61° at |b| ≤ $1{_{.}^{\circ}}5$). SMGPS is the largest, most sensitive, and highest angular resolution 1 GHz survey of the plane yet carried out, with an angular resolution of 8 arcsec and a broad-band root-mean-square sensitivity of ~10-20 μJy beam^-1. Here, we describe the first publicly available data release from SMGPS which comprises data cubes of frequency-resolved images over 908-1656 MHz, power-law fits to the images, and broad-band zeroth moment integrated intensity images. A thorough assessment of the data quality and guidance for future usage of the data products are given. Finally, we discuss the tremendous potential of SMGPS by showcasing highlights of the Galactic and extragalactic science that it permits. These highlights include the discovery of a new population of non-thermal radio filaments; identification of new candidate supernova remnants, pulsar wind nebulae and planetary nebulae; improved radio/mid-infrared classification of rare luminous blue variables and discovery of associated extended radio nebulae; new radio stars identified by Bayesian cross-matching techniques; the realization that many of the largest radio-quiet Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) H II region candidates are not true H II regions; and a large sample of previously undiscovered background H I galaxies in the Zone of Avoidance.