Resolving the obscuring torus in NGC 1068 with the power of infrared interferometry: Revealing the inner funnel of dust

Details Resolving the obscuring torus in NGC 1068 with the power of infrared interferometry: Revealing the inner funnel of dust Resolving the obscuring torus in NGC 1068 with the power of infrared interferometry: Revealing the inner funnel of dust

2009-01-09

arxiv.org/abs/0901.1306v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Galaxy Astrophysics

Accepted to MNRAS

Scientific paper

10.1111/j.1365-2966.2009.14439.x

We present new interferometric data obtained with MIDI (MID infrared Interferometric instrument) for the Seyfert II galaxy NGC 1068, with an extensive coverage of sixteen uv points. These observations resolve the nuclear mid-infrared emission from NGC 1068 in unprecedented detail with a maximum resolution of 7 mas. For the first time, sufficient uv points have been obtained, allowing us to generate an image of the source using maximum entropy image reconstruction. The features of the image are similar to those obtained by modelling. We find that the mid-infrared emission can be represented by two components, each with a Gaussian brightness distribution. The first, identified as the inner funnel of the obscuring torus, is hot (800K), 1.35 parsec long, and 0.45 parsec thick in FWHM at a PA=-42 degrees (from north to east). It has an absorption profile different than standard interstellar dust and with evidence for clumpiness. The second component is 3 by 4 pc in FWHM with T=300K, and we identify it with the cooler body of the torus. The compact component is tilted by 45 degrees with respect to the radio jet and has similar size and orientation to the observed water maser distribution. We show how the dust distribution relates to other observables within a few parsecs of the core of the galaxy such as the nuclear masers, the radio jet, and the ionization cone. We compare our findings to a similar study of the Circinus galaxy and other relevant studies. Our findings shed new light on the relation between the different parsec-scale components in NGC 1068 and the obscuring torus.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Resolving the obscuring torus in NGC 1068 with the power of infrared interferometry: Revealing the inner funnel of dust does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Resolving the obscuring torus in NGC 1068 with the power of infrared interferometry: Revealing the inner funnel of dust, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Resolving the obscuring torus in NGC 1068 with the power of infrared interferometry: Revealing the inner funnel of dust will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-440545