We present near-infrared interferometric data on the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068, obtained with the GRAVITY instrument on the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope Interferometer. The extensive baseline coverage from 5 to 60M{lambda} allowed us to reconstruct a continuum image of the nucleus with an unrivaled 0.2pc resolution in the K-band.We find a thin ring-like structure of emission with a radius r=0.24+/-0.03pc, inclination i=70+/-5{deg}, position angle PA=-50+/-4{deg}, and h/r<0.14, which we associate with the dust sublimation region. The observed morphology is inconsistent with the expected signatures of a geometrically and optically thick torus. Instead, the infrared emission shows a striking resemblance to the 22GHz maser disc, which suggests they share a common region of origin. The near-infrared spectral energy distribution indicates a bolometric luminosity of (0.4-4.7)x10^45^erg/s, behind a large A_K_~=5.5 (A_V_~=90) screen of extinction that also appears to contribute significantly to obscuring the broad line region.

Cone search capability for table J/A+A/634/A1/list (List of fits files)