STARBURST SUPERWIND AND LINER ACTIVITY IN NGC-4945

Spectra (3700-10000 Angstrom) and continuum + line images of NGC4945 a t optical (V,R,Z,[O III],H alpha+[N III) and IR (J,H,K,L,H-2,Br gamma) wavelengths reveal a conical wind-blown cavity. The Br gamma and L ba nd images trace a starburst disc or ring with no morphological similar ity to the more extended H-2 emission which shows the cavity and indic ates that it is confined by molecular material heated by shocks or X-r ays. The spectra reveal significant bulk motions (less than or similar to 600 km/s); line ratios typical of LINERS and the discovery of prom inent [CI] which is very weak in Seyferts 1-2 while strong in supernov a remnants, including the X-ray excited filaments of the Crab. Shock e xcitation at the surface of the cavity provides a likely explanation f or the line emission although photoionization by X-rays associated wit h the superwind or the suspected Seyfert nucleus detected in hard X-ra ys cannot be excluded.