University of Arizona News

Astronomers have achieved a significant milestone in the study of active galactic nuclei (AGN) by capturing the highest resolution infrared images to date of the supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy NGC 1068. Utilizing the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI), researchers from the University of Arizona and the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy have unveiled detailed images of the AGN's dense, obscuring disk and extended dusty outflow region. These images, which bridge the gap between scales measured by other interferometers and single telescopes, reveal a complex environment around the black hole, including a dusty outflow and emissions linked to radio jets. The findings suggest that models of AGN tori should incorporate interactions with these jets, providing new insights into the mechanisms of AGN feedback and galaxy evolution.