High-Resolution Mid-Infrared Morphology of Cygnus A
Abstract
We present subarcsecond resolution mid-infrared images at 10.8 and 18.2 microns of Cygnus A. These images were obtained with the University of Florida mid-IR camera/spectrometer OSCIR at the Keck II 10-m telescope. Our data show extended mid-IR emission primarily to the east of the nucleus with a possible western extension detected after image deconvolution. This extended emission is closely aligned with the bi-conical structure observed at optical and near-IR wavelengths by the HST. This emission is consistent with dust heated from the central engine of Cygnus A. We also marginally detect large-scale low level emission extending > 1.5 kpc from the nucleus which may be caused by in-situ star formation, line emission, and/or PAH contamination within the bandpass of our wide N-band filter.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0110347,
title = {High-Resolution Mid-Infrared Morphology of Cygnus A},
author = {James T. Radomski and Robert K. Pina and Christopher Packham and Charles M. Telesco and Clive N. Tadhunter},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0110347},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
20 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal