The Nuclear Region of the Seyfert 2 Galaxy NGC 3079

Abstract

Abstract We present a discussion on high-resolution studies of the nuclear region of NGC 3079 using observations of an H2O maser and continuum emission as well as H I absorption with a global VLBI network including the VLBA, the phased VLA and the Effelsberg 100 m telescope. Multi-frequency observations of the continuum emission reveal the spectra of continuum components and suggest a core-jet morphology. The H2O maser spots lie in a series of clusters distributed along a north-south direction, while we rule out any possibility that the masering disk lies along the north-south direction. H I absorption features towards the continuum components have a velocity gradient opposite to that observed in the galaxy as a whole. We identify the nucleus and rotation axis of the central 10 pc region, and discuss the properties of a postulated rotating torus in the nuclear region.