Pictor A (PKS 0518−45) - From Nucleus to Lobes

We present a variety of new imaging and kinematic data for the double–lobed radio galaxy Pictor A. The new optical data include HST continuum and [OIII], emission–line images (at a resolution of 25 – 100 mas) and ground-based imaging and spectroscopy (at a resolution of ∼ 1.5). The ground–based images show Hα filaments and loops which extend to the N and W of the optical core. The radio continuum data include 3 cm Australia Telescope images of the core, at a resolution comparable to that of the optical, ground–based images, and a VLBI image of a jet in the compact core (at a resolution of 2 – 25 mas), which seems to align with a continuum “jet” found in the HST images. The core radio jet, the HST optical continuum “jet”, and the NW Hα filaments all appear to be aligned with the extended, low luminosity radio continuum bridge which Perley et al. 1997 have traced out to the optical–synchrotron hot–spot in the NW lobe of this object. The Hα filaments which appear to lie in the path of Visiting Astronomer, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. CTIO is operated by AURA, Inc. under contract to the National Science Foundation. Visiting Astronomer, Space Telescope Science Institute, STScI is operated by AURA, Inc. under contract to NASA Visiting Astronomer, The Austraila Telescope, funded by the Commonwealth of Australia for operation as a National Facility managed by CSI NSF REU summer student, 1992