Tracing the structure of the Milky Way with detached eclipsing binaries
  from the VVV survey - I. The method and initial results
  We present the first results of a project aiming to trace the spatial
structure of the Milky Way using detached eclipsing binaries (DEBs) as distance
indicators. A sample of DEBs from the OGLE-II catalogue was selected and their
near infrared photometry was taken from the Vista Variables in the Via Lactea
(VVV) survey. The I band OGLE-II light curves are used to create models of the
DEBs, which together with the VVV photometry are compared with a set of
theoretical isochrones. After correcting for stellar reddening, we find a set
of absolute physical parameters of components of a given binary, including
absolute magnitudes and distances.
  With this approach we can calculate the distances with the precision better
than 5 per cent. Even though we have a few systems, the distribution is not
homogeneous along the line of sight, and appears to follow the overall
structure of the Galaxy - several spiral arms and the Bulge are
distinguishable. A number of systems can be seen behind the Bulge, reaching
even the distance to the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy.
