HST/FOC imaging of the narrow-line region of NGC 1068

Abstract

We present imaging observations of NGC 1068 taken with the COSTAR-corrected (Corrective-Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement) Faint Object Camera on board the Hubble Space Telescope in the UV and optical continuum and [O III] emission lines. From these observations the structure of the nuclear region of NGC 1068 is shown to be very complex. Bright filamentary and patchy structures are intermingled with dark lanes. Other interesting features are identified, including the location of the UV peak with respect to the peak of line emission, the existence of an unusual "twin-crescent" object near the nucleus, and point sources in the field. In the UV to optical flux ratio image, an extended conical region stands out for its blue color which may be tracing reflected nuclear light.