ON THE NUCLEAR-SPECTRUM OF NGC 1365

AAT long-slit spectroscopic observations of the nucleus of the barred 'hot-spot' galaxy NGC 1365, taken in good seeing, reveal a central nucleus with a spectrum resembling that of an intermediate Seyfert galaxy and a surrounding region of about 400 pc radius with a spectrum having several characteristics of a Seyfert 2. Surrounding this, in turn, are normal Hn regions of low excitation suggesting an O/H abundance ratio exceeding that of the Sun. The Seyfert 1 nucleus has asymmetric broad Balmer components, which are unusual in having greater extensions on the violet side, as well as a non-thermal continuum and broad Fen emssion features. All the emission-line systems are heavily reddened. The importance of allowing for possible non-thermal excitation in the derivation of abundances from emission lines in galactic nuclei is emphasized. © Royal Astronomical Society.