AChandraX‐Ray Study of NGC 1068. I. Observations of Extended Emission

We report sub arc-second resolution X-ray imaging-spectroscopy of thearchetypal type 2 Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 with the Chandra X-ray Observatory.The observations reveal the detailed structure and spectra of the 13 kpc-extentnebulosity previously imaged at lower resolution with ROSAT. The Chandra imageshows a bright, compact source coincident with the brightest radio and opticalemission; this source is extended by \simeq 1.5 arcsec (165 pc) in the samedirection as the nuclear optical line and radio continuum emission. BrightX-ray emission extends \simeq 5 arcsec (550 pc) to the NE and coincides withthe NE radio lobe and gas in the narrow line region. The large-scale emissionshows trailing spiral arms and other structures. Numerous point sourcesassociated with NGC 1068 are seen. There is a very strong correlation betweenthe X-ray emission and the high excitation ionized gas seen in HST andground-based [O III] \lambda 5007 images. The X-rays to the NE of the nucleusare absorbed by only the Galactic column density and thus originate from thenear side of the disk of NGC 1068. In contrast the X-rays to the SW are morehighly absorbed and must come from gas in the disk or on the far side of it.This geometry is similar to that inferred for the narrow line region and radiolobes. (Abstract truncated).Comment: To be published in the Astrophysical Journal, July 20 2001 issue; 49 pages, 19 figure