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The origin of infrared emission from the nucleus of NGC 1068

Recent infrared observational results for the nucleus of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 are reviewed and analyzed in terms consistent with information available at other wavelengths. It is concluded that the infrared and optical data imply that more than 85 percent of the infrared emission at 10 microns is radiation from dust grains in the nucleus. Observed reddening of spectral lines implies geometrical optical depths at visual wavelengths of about 7-15 if the nuclear dust cloud is approximately spherically symmetric. The dust grains emitting the infrared radiation could be silicates with a 10-micron optical depth near unity, but this identification is not uniquely established. The grains are heated radiatively by an underlying source or sources of radiation also responsible for ionizing the emission-line-producing gas. The underlying source could be nonthermal, or it could be a hot plasma. Physical constraints on each of these models are derived.

Jones, T. W.↗

The first ultraviolet spectropolarimetric study of NGC 1068

We present the first ultraviolet spectropolarimetric observations of the Type 2 Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 obtained by the Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo Polarimeter Experiment (WUPPE). In this communication we discuss the continuum polarization in the ultraviolet. Shortward of 2500 A the polarization becomes constant at 16 percent at a position angle of 112 deg. This is in general agreement with the 1983 prediction of Miller and Antonucci (1983) and their thick torus model, in which a hidden Type 1 Seyfert nucleus is seen in light scattered by electrons outside the obscured nuclei.

Code, Arthur D.↗

HST NICMOS Observations of the Polarization of NGC 1068

We have observed the polarized light at 2 microns in the center of NGC 1068 with HST (Hubble Space Telescope) NICMOS (Near Infrared Camera Multi Object Spectrometer) Camera 2. The nucleus is dominated by a bright, unresolved source, polarized at a level of 6.0 +/- 1.2% with a position angle of 122 degrees +/- 1.5 degrees. There are two polarized lobes extending tip to 8" northeast and southwest of the nucleus. The polarized flux in both lobes is quite clumpy, with the maximum polarization occurring in the southwest lobe at a level of 17% when smoothed to 0.23" resolution. The perpendiculars to the polarization vectors in these two lobes point back to the intense unresolved nuclear source to within one 0.076" Camera 2 pixel, thereby confirming that this source is the origin of the scattered light and therefore the probable AGN (Active Galactic Nuclei) central engine. Whereas the polarization of the nucleus is probably caused by dichroic absorption, the polarization in the lobes is almost certainly caused by scattering, with very little contribution from dichroic absorption. Features in the polarized lobes include a gap at a distance of about 1" from the nucleus toward the southwest lobe and a "knot" of emission about 5" northwest of the nucleus. Both features had been discussed by groundbased observers, but they are much better defined with the high spatial resolution of NICMOS. The northeast knot may be the side of a molecular cloud that is facing the nucleus, which cloud may be preventing the expansion of the northeast radio lobe at the head of the radio synchrotron-radiation-emitting jet. We also report the presence of two ghosts in the Camera 2 polarizers.

Simpson, Janet P.↗

Large scale excitation of the ISM in NGC 1068

Researchers have shown that photoionization by the continuum of the hidden Seyfert I nucleus in NGC 1068 can have a significant effect on the ionization state and energetics of this disk's Interstellar Medium (ISM). Photoionization models with appropriate power law spectra can produce (NII) lambda lambda 6538, 6584/H alpha line ratios of 1.25 for ionization parameters Q approx. 10 (exp -12). However the data indicate large regions where the (NII)/H alpha ratio is 1 to 3. Since the abundances are known to be solar, there must be additional heating sources. Hardening of the incident radiation field by intervening absorption should be able to raise T sub e, thereby raising the (NII)/H alpha ratio. Heating with moderate efficiency by the intense starburst ring should also be a significant factor in raising the temperature of the ISM. The photoionization models with additional heating predict enhanced emission from other forbidden lines including (OII) lambda 3727 and (SII) lambda 6731.

Sokolowski, J.↗

The size of NGC 1068 at 10 microns

The data presented show that a majority of the 10-micron emission from NGC 1068 comes from an area with a diameter of about 60 pc. The measurements described were made at 10 microns on two nights at the 200-inch Hale telescope. The data obtained agree with the results obtained by Stein et al. (1973). An approach to reconcile the new data with the variability observed by Rieke and Low (1972) is also discussed.

Becklin, E. E.↗

High-resolution mid-infrared imaging and astrometry of the nucleus of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068

The Goddard Infrared Array Camera was used to obtain a high resolution image of the nucleus of NGC 1068 at 12.4 microns. In addition, the peak emission at 12.4 microns relative to the peak of the optical continuum was determined. The distribution of the 12.4 micron emission relates to both the forbidden O III 5007A 'ionization cone' and the optical continuum emission imaged by HST. This distribution is also found to have an alignment perpendicular to the plane of a putative molecular torus. It is suggested that the extended mid-infrared emission is thermal radiation from dust in circumnuclear clouds heated by the collimated optical/UV AGN source. A portion of the unresolved 12.4 micron emission possibly originates from the torus. The infrared emission peak is found to coincide with the apex of the ionization cone, which is presumed to be the location of the torus.

Braatz, J. A.↗

The infrared structure and the origin of the starburst disk in NGC 1068

A detailed map of the extranuclear IR emission in the central 4 kpc of the luminous Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 is presented. The relationship of the IR emission with low-excitation, visible H II regions implies that the IR luminosity is powered by recent star formation. The observations show that the star formation is distributed across the central 3.5 kpc primarily in two very extended complexes, one located to the north of the nucleus and the other to the southwest. These two complexes coincide with the two dominant CO features. It is shown that there are two inner Lindblad resonances which occur near the ends of the bar which approximately bound the IR-luminous star-forming regions, the CO complexes, and the visually bright spiral arms. It is proposed that the starburst results from a bar-driven density wave which also includes the effects of shock focusing.

Telesco, C. M.↗

IUE observations of NGC 1068 - The extremely luminous starburst knots

A complete investigation of the UV characteristics of the starburst knots in the inner 3 kpc region of NGC 1068 mapped by the IUE is presented. It is noted that these knots probably represent the most luminous H II regions yet studied at optical and UV wavelengths. Comparisons suggest that the brightest knot, knot 1, is 30 times brighter than NGC 604 in M33 and has a total luminosity of not less than 10 to the 43rd ergs/s.

Bruhweiler, F. C.↗

The Far-Infrared Emission Line and Continuum Spectrum of the Seyfert Galaxy NGC 1068

We report on the analysis of the first complete far-infrared spectrum (43-197 microns) of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068 as observed with the Long Wavelength Spectrometer (LWS) onboard the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO). In addition to the 7 expected ionic fine structure emission lines, the OH rotational lines at 79, 119 and 163 microns were all detected in emission, which is unique among galaxies with full LWS spectra, where the 119 micron line, where detected, is always in absorption. The observed line intensities were modelled together with IS0 Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) and optical and ultraviolet line intensities from the literature, considering two independent emission components: the AGN component and the starburst component in the circumnuclear ring of approximately 3kpc in size. Using the UV to mid-IR emission line spectrum to constrain the nuclear ionizing continuum, we have confirmed previous results: a canonical power-law ionizing spectrum is a poorer fit than one with a deep absorption trough, while the presence of a big blue bump is ruled out. Based on the instantaneous starburst age of 5 Myr constrained by the Br gamma equivalent width in the starburst ring, and starburst synthesis models of the mid- and far-infrared fine-structure line emission, a low ionization parameter (U=10(exp -3.5)) and low densities (n=100 cm (exp -3)) are derived. Combining the AGN and starburst components, we succeed in modeling the overall UV to far-IR atomic spectrum of SGC 1068, reproducing the line fluxes to within a factor 2.0 on average with a standard deviation of 1.4. The OH 119 micron emission indicates that the line is collisionally excited, and arises in a warm and dense region. The OH emission has been modeled using spherically symmetric, non-local, non-LTE radiative transfer models. The models indicate that the bulk of the emission arises from the nuclear region, although some extended contribution from the starburst is not ruled out. The OH abundance in the nuclear region is expected to be approximately 10(exp -5), characteristic of X-ray dominated regions.

Spinoglio, Luigi↗

SOFIA/HAWC plus Traces the Magnetic Fields in NGC 1068

We report the first detection of galactic spiral structure by means of thermal emission from magnetically aligned dust grains. Our 89μm polarimetric imaging of NGC 1068 with the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera/Polarimeter(HAWC+)on NASAs Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy(SOFIA)also sheds light on magnetic field structure in the vicinity of the galaxyʼs inner-bar and active galactic nucleus(AGN).We find correlations between the 89μm magnetic field vectors and other tracers of spiral arms, and a symmetric polarization pattern as a function of the azimuthal angle arising from the projection and inclination of the disk field component in the plane of the sky. The observations can befit with a logarithmic spiral model with pitch angle of-+16.92.82.7and a disk inclination of 48°±2°. We infer that the bulk of the interstellar medium from which the polarized dust emission originates is threaded by a magnetic field that closely follows the spiral arms. Inside the central starburst disk(<1.6 kpc), the degree of polarization is found to be lower than for far-infrared sources in the Milky Way, and has minima at the locations of most intense star formation near the outer ends of the inner-bar. Inside the starburst ring, the field direction deviates from the model, becoming more radial along the leading edges of the inner-bar. The polarized flux and dust temperature peak∼3′′–6′′NE of the AGN at the location of a bow shock between the AGN outflow and the surrounding interstellar medium, but the AGN itself is weakly polarized(<1%)at both 53 and 89μm.

Active galactic nuclei↗

NGC 1068 - Resolution of nuclear structure in the optical continuum

The HST Planetary Camera has been used to obtain an optical continuum image of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068. The image reveals a bright nucleus embedded in an irregular cloudlike structure which is well-differentiated against the background of the galaxy. The nucleus is resolved, with an FWHM of about 0.15 arcsec, or 11 pc. There is no evidence for any unresolved nuclear component. The precise geometry of the scattering region cannot yet be inferred. The cloud surrounding the nucleus is elongated in the NE-SSW direction and has extreme dimensions of 3.5 arcsec x 1.7 arcsec. The brightness centroid is situated 0.4 arcsec SW of the nucleus. It is concluded that the light from the cloud is contributed largely by stars, but that the appearance of the cloud is distinctly dissimilar to what is expected from young or old stellar systems and bears to simple relationship to the numerous features that have heretofore been resolved at other wavelengths.

Lynds, Roger↗

High resolution 1-20 micron imaging of the nuclear environment of NGC 1068

We present new mid-infrared continuum and near-IR line images of the nuclear environment of the nearby (14 Mpc) Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068. The 8, 10, and 19 micron data were measured with our new mid-IR array camera, MIRACLE, at UKIRT in Nov. 1991 while our images of the H2 2.121 micron and (Fe 2) 1.64 micron lines were obtained with FAST, the MPE imaging spectrometer, at the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope in Aug. 1991. The MIRACLE data were imaged through narrow band (lambda/delta(lambda) greater than or equal to 50) filters whereas FAST incorporates a Fabry-Perot etalon (lambda/delta(lambda) greater than or equal to 950).

Cameron, M.↗

A Census of X-ray Gas in NGC 1068: Results From 450 ks of CHANDRA High Energy Transmisson Grating Observations

We present models for the X-ray spectrum of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068. These are fitted to data obtained using the High Energy Transmission Grating on Chandra. The data show line and radiative recombination continuum emission from a broad range of ions and elements. The models explore the importance of excitation processes for these lines including photoionization followed by recombination, radiative excitation by absorption of continuum radiation, and inner shell fluorescence. The models show that the relative importance of these processes depends on the conditions in the emitting gas and that no single emitting component can fit the entire spectrum. In particular, the relative importance of radiative excitation and photoionization/recombination differs according to the element and ion stage emitting the line. This in turn implies a diversity of values for the ionization parameter of the various components of gas responsible for the emission, ranging from log(E ) = 1 to 3. Using this, we obtain an estimate for the total amount of gas responsible for the observed emission. The mass flux through the region included in the HETG extraction region is approximately 0.3M/yr, assuming ordered flow at the speed characterizing the line widths. This can be compared with what is known about this object from other techniques.

galaxies: Seyfert↗

Imaging spectrophotometry of ionized gas in NGC 1068. I - Kinematics of the narrow-line region

The kinematics of collisionally excited forbidden N II 6548, 6583 across the inner 1 arcmin diameter of the nearby Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 is mapped using an imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer and low-noise CCD. The stack of monochromatic images, which spatially resolved the high-velocity gas, was analyzed for kinematic and photometric content. Profiles agree well with previous long-slit work, and their complete spatial coverage makes it possible to constrain the gas volume distribution. It is found that the narrow-line region is distributed in a thick center-darkened, line-emitting cylinder that envelopes the collimated radio jet. Three distinct kinematic subsystems, of which the cylinder is composed, are discussed in detail. Detailed behavior of the emission-line profiles, at the few points in the NE quadrant with simple kinematics, argues that the ionized gas develops a significant component of motion perpendicular to the jet axis.

Cecil, Gerald↗

HST imaging of the inner 3 arcseconds of NGC 1068 in the light of forbidden O III 5007 A

The Planetary Camera aboard HST has been used to obtain a high spatial resolution forbidden O III 5007 A image of the nucleus of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1068. This image shows more detail than any previously published images and resolves the NLR into several distinct clouds arranged in an apparently conical geometry. The individual emission-line regions appear to be resolved with sizes of 0.1-0.2 arcsec. There is a strong apparent correspondence between the 1.3 cm radio structure and several of the forbidden O III 5007 A clouds, although there are also bright emission-line clouds for which there are no radio counterparts. In particular, the radio 'triple' of Ulvestad et al. (1987) appears to correspond directly to the forbidden O III 5007 A clouds A-D. It is concluded that the distribution of the clouds is consistent with ionization core models. The hidden nucleus is located somewhere in the southern radio component and may be coincident with the H2O megamaser.

Evans, I. N.↗

ASCA observations of NGC 1068

With the high sensitivity and spectral resolution of the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA) satellite, we have discovered strong emission lines from the H-like and/or He-like ions of Ne, Mg, Si, and S as well as Fe L and confirmed the complex structure of Fe K line emission in the Seyfert II galaxy NGC 1068. The continuum emission above 3 keV exhibits rather flat shape with no evidence of low energy absorption. The overall X-ray spectrum can be well explained with a model involving starburst activity plus an obscured active galactic nucleus.

Ueno, Shiro↗