VLT J- to M ^ { \prime } -band adaptive optics observations of the Circinus Galaxy on parsec scales resolve a central bright Ks-band source with a FWHM size of 1.9 \pm 0.6 pc .
This source is only visible at wavelengths longward of 1.6 \mu m and coincides in position with the peak of the [ Si VII ] 2.48 \mu m coronal line emission .
With respect to the peak of the central optical emission , the source is shifted by \sim 0.15″ ( 2.8 pc ) to the south-east .
Indeed , it defines the vertex of a fairly collimated beam which extends for \sim 10 pc , and which is seen in both continuum light shortward of 1.6 \mu m and in H \alpha line emission .
The source also lies at the center of a \sim 19 pc size [ Si VII ] ionization bicone .

Identifying this source as the nucleus of Circinus , its size is compatible with a putative parsec-scale torus .
Its spectral energy distribution , characterized by a prominent narrow peak , is compatible with a dust temperature of 300 K. Hotter dust within a 1 pc radius of the center is not detected .
The AGN luminosity required to heat this dust is in the range of X-ray luminosities that have been measured toward the central source .
This in turn supports the existence of highly obscuring material , with column densities of 10 ^ { 24 } cm ^ { -2 } , that must be located within 1 pc of the core .