Gemini South Images Circinus Galaxy During Telescope Commissioning with NOAO's Abu Infrared Imager

Gemini Observatory/NOAO/NSF Abu Image/NOAO/NSF	Gemini South Commissioning Team Abu Instrument Team
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This image of the Circinus Galaxy was taken with the Abu infrared camera during testing at the Gemini South telescope on Cerro Pachón, Chile. Three images at 1.2, 1.6, and 2.2 microns wavelength were combined to make this false-color image.

The telescope's active optics and fast-guiding systems were in operation during the test, resulting in an angular resolution of 0.4 arcseconds. At this resolution, details of the galaxy's dusty spiral arms are visible, while its bright, compact nucleus remains unresolved.

The Circinus Galaxy is so named because it is the most prominent galaxy in the southern constellation Circinus. At a distance of about 4 megaparsecs, it is the closest galaxy with a type 2 Seyfert nucleus: a nucleus that is very compact and contains hot, ionized gas probably indicating the presence of a massive black hole. The disk surrounding the nucleus contains numerous star-forming regions and is undergoing a "burst" of star formation activity. High angular resolution imaging and spectroscopy reveal the structure and physical properties of the nucleus and disk, and will help astronomers understand why this galaxy is currently so active.

The image is 43x43 arcseconds in size. North is up and east is to the left. The exposure time was five minutes at each wavelength.

The Abu infrared camera was provided by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tucson, Arizona.