High-resolution aperture synthesis of molecular gas in NGC 1068

High-resolution aperture synthesis imaging of NGC 1068 in the CO J = 1-0 line is presented. The major features of the molecular distribution in the central 3 kpc of the galaxy are a continuous pair of spiral arms originating from the end of the stellar bar seen in 2.2 micron images and a nuclear gas concentration of about 80 million solar masses. The total molecular gas content of the spiral arms is 5 billion solar masses; most of this gas is distributed in 38 complexes of 10 million to 700 million solar masses, with sizes ranging up to 500 pc. The large reservoir of interstellar gas seen in the spiral arms at 1.7 kpc radius may play a central role in both the abundant star formation and nuclear activity. 37 refs.