Spatially resolved mid-infrared spectroscopy of IC 5063 |
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Authors: | S Young † C Packham R E Mason J T Radomski C M Telesco |
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Institution: | Centre for Astrophysics Research, Science &Technology Research Institute, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB;Department of Astronomy, University of Florida, PO Box 112055, 211 Bryant Space Center, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;Gemini Observatory, 670 N. A'ohoku Place, Hilo, Hawaii 96720, USA;Gemini South Observatory, Casilla 603, La Serena, Chile |
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Abstract: | We present spatially resolved 10-μm spectra of the nucleus of IC 5063 that are near-diffraction-limited. The observations were obtained with T-ReCS, the mid-infrared (mid-IR) imager and spectrometer on the 8.1-m Gemini South telescope, with the slit aligned at a position angle on the sky along the direction of the cone of narrow-line emission. The spectra cover the nucleus and the inner reaches of the ionization cones at a spatial resolution of approximately 0.4 arcsec (90 pc). Individual spectra, extracted in steps in the spatial direction along the slit, reveal variations in continuum slope and silicate feature profile and depth on subarcsecond scales, illustrating in unprecedented detail the complexity of the circumnuclear regions of this galaxy at mid-IR wavelengths. The dust population in the vicinity of the narrow-line region, north-west of the nuclear position, is significantly warmer than that to the south-east of the nucleus. This is consistent with an observation of the cooler dust associated with the outer reaches of the postulated torus that obscures the type 1 nucleus in this object. |
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Keywords: | galaxies: active galaxies: individual: IC 5063 galaxies: nuclei infrared: galaxies |
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