Name: James Radomski

Institution: Gemini South Observatory

e-mail: jradomski(no-spam)gemini.edu

Partner Contry: GS

Science Meeting: Yes

User Meeting: Yes

NGO Staff Meeting: Yes

Presentation: Yes

Format: Oral

Title: Gemini Observations of Mid-IR Emission from the Nucleus of Centaurus A

Co-author: C. Packham(2), N. A. Levenson(3), E. Perlman(4), L. L. Leeuw(5), H. Matthews(6), R. Mason(7), J. M. De Buizer(1), C. M. Telesco(2), M. Orduna(2)

Co-authors' Institutions: (1)Gemini Observatory, Chile, (2)University of Florida, (3)University of Kentucky, (4)University of Maryland, Baltimore County, (5)Rhodes University, South Africa, (6)Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, Canada, (7)Gemini Observatory, Hawaii.

Abstract:

We present high spatial resolution mid-IR images of the nuclear region of NGC 5128 (Centaurus A) at 8.8μm, N-band (10.5 μm) and 18.3μm using T-ReCS on Gemini South. These images show a bright unresolved core surrounded by low-level extended emission. We place an upper limit to the size of the unresolved nucleus of 3.1 pc (0.185) at 8.8μm and 3.4 pc (0.205) at 18.3μm at the level of the FWHM. Much of this emission is likely due to a dusty torus. Clumpy tori models are presented which predict the mid-IR size of this torus to be no larger than 0.05 (0.85pc). Surrounding the nucleus is extensive low-level mid-IR emission seen by ISO and Spitzer. These results also present to date the highest spatial resolution mid-IR images of this extended near nuclear structure.

Comments

This data was presented as a poster at the 209th AAS meeting in Seattle, WA (Jan 2007) and was the subject of a Gemini Press release.