The 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey has now measured in excess of 160000 galaxy redshifts. This paper presents the power spectrum of the galaxy distribution, calculated using a direct FFT-based technique. We argue that, within the k-space region 0.02<k<0.15 h Mpc^-1, the shape of this spectrum should be close to that of the linear density perturbations convolved with the window function of the survey. This window function and its convolving effect on the power spectrum estimate are analyzed in detail. By convolving model spectra, we are able to fit the power-spectrum data and provide a measure of the matter content of the universe. Our results show that models containing baryon oscillations are mildly preferred over featureless power spectra. Analysis of the data yields 68% confidence limits on the total matter density times the Hubble parameter Omega_m h = 0.20 +/- 0.03, and the baryon fraction Omega_b/Omega_m = 0.15 +/- 0.07, assuming scale-invariant primordial fluctuations.
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