Program: GS-2006A-Q-62

Title:High Resolution Mid-Infrared Imaging and Spectroscopy of the Elusive AGN in NGC 4945
PI:James Radomski
Co-I(s):

Abstract

The galaxy NGC 4945 is a nearby (~3.7 Mpc) spectacular Seyfert 2 galaxy with a strong cirumnuclear starburst. This starburst however has obscured the true nature of the central nucleus. Classified as an "elusive" AGN, evidence for such black hole emission comes only from hard X-ray observations. Previous mid-infrared observations have been unable to detect the nucleus indicating perhaps an anomalous situtation in disagreement with the "standard" unified model of AGN as well as current observing strategies. I propose to search for the elusive AGN in the mid-IR with unprecendeted resolution (~0.3") using T-ReCS on the Gemini South 8m telescope which will support and greatly surpass any future observations posssible with Spitzer (resolution ~2.8"-3.7").

Publications using this program's data