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Title:
Spatially Resolved Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy of NGC 1068: The Nature and Distribution of the Nuclear Material
Authors:
Mason, R. E.; Geballe, T. R.; Packham, C.; Levenson, N. A.; Elitzur, M.; Fisher, R. S.; Perlman, E.
Affiliation:
AA(NOAO Gemini Science Center, Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, Casilla 603, La Serena, Chile; ), AB(Gemini Observatory, 670 North Aohoku Place, Hilo, HI 96720; ), AC(Department of Astronomy, University of Florida, PO Box 112055, 211 Bryant Space Center, Gainesville, Fl 32611; ), AD(Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kentucky, 177 Chemistry/Physics Building, Lexington, KY 40506; , ), AE(Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kentucky, 177 Chemistry/Physics Building, Lexington, KY 40506; , ), AF(Gemini Observatory, 670 North Aohoku Place, Hilo, HI 96720; ), AG(Joint Center for Astrophysics, Physics Department, University of Maryland, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250; )
Publication:
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 640, Issue 2, pp. 612-624. (ApJ Homepage)
Publication Date:
04/2006
Origin:
UCP
ApJ Keywords:
ISM: Dust, Extinction, Galaxies: Active, Galaxies: Individual: NGC Number: NGC 1068, Galaxies: Nuclei, Infrared: Galaxies
DOI:
10.1086/500299
Bibliographic Code:
2006ApJ...640..612M

Abstract

We present spatially resolved, near-diffraction-limited 10 μm spectra of the nucleus of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068, obtained with Michelle, the mid-IR imager and spectrometer on the 8.1 m Gemini North Telescope. The spectra cover the nucleus and the central 6.0"×0.4" of the ionization cones at a spatial resolution of approximately 0.4" (~30 pc). The spectra extracted in 0.4" steps along the slit reveal striking variations in continuum slope, silicate feature profile and depth, and fine-structure line fluxes on subarcsecond scales, illustrating in unprecedented detail the complexity of the circumnuclear regions of NGC 1068 at mid-IR wavelengths. A comparison of photometry in various apertures reveals two distinct components: a compact (radius<15 pc), bright source within the central 0.4"×0.4" and extended, lower brightness emission. We identify the compact source with the AGN-obscuring torus, and the diffuse component with dust in the ionization cones. While the torus emission dominates the flux observed in the near-IR, the mid-IR flux measured with apertures larger than about 1" is dominated instead by emission from the ionization cones; despite its higher brightness, the torus contributes <30% of the 11.6 μm flux in the central 1.2" region. Many previous attempts to determine the torus spectral energy distribution are thus likely to be significantly affected by contamination from the extended emission. The observed spectrum of the compact source is compared with clumpy torus models. The models require most of the clouds to be located within a few parsecs of the central engine, in agreement with recent mid-IR interferometric observations. We also present a UKIRT/CGS4 5 μm spectrum covering the R(0)-R(4) lines of the fundamental vibration-rotation band of 12CO. None of these lines was detected, and we discuss these nondetections in terms of the filling factor and composition of the nuclear clouds.
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