The location of the nucleus and the morphology of emission-line regions in NGC 1068

This Letter presents new Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer data on the location of the nucleus and the morphology of hydrogen and [Si VI] emission in NGC 1068. The peak of the emission at 2.2 mum is a strong point source that marks the location of the nucleus. The [Si VI] line emission region consists of two main components, a diffuse region of coronal emission to the north-northeast of the nucleus and a bright emission spot 1.6 from the nucleus along the direction of the radio jet. A similar but less intense emission spot also occurs in the hydrogen Paschen-alpha and Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 H alpha images. The accurate determination of the nuclear position and its relation to the emission-line morphology produces a clearer picture of the nature of the interaction between the radio jet and its surroundings.