Near-infrared adaptive optics imaging of nuclear spiral structure in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 3227

Abstract

We present high spatial resolution, near-infrared images in J, H and K of the nucleus of NGC 3227, obtained with the Adaptive Optics Bonnette on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. The ~0.15arcsec (17pc) resolution allows structures to be probed in the core region. Dust obscuration becomes significantly less pronounced at longer wavelengths, revealing the true geometry of the core region. We are able to identify two main features in our maps: (i) a spiralling association of knots with a counterpart in a Hubble Space Telescope F606W image; and (ii) a smaller-scale annulus, orthogonal to the spiral of knots. These features may provide a means to transport material inwards to fuel the active nucleus.