HELICAL STRANDS IN THE JET-LIKE NARROW-LINE REGION OF ESO 428-G14

We present HST/WFPC2 images of the narrow-line region (NLR) of the Sey fert 2 galaxy ESO 428-G14 (0714-2914, M4-1). The NLR consists of many individual, thin strands, which are very closely related to the radio jet and produce a highly complex, yet ordered, structure. We find that the jet is two-sided, with a double helix of emission-line gas appare ntly wrapped around the northwest side. To the southeast, the jet seem s to be deflected at a ridge of highly excited gas. The strands to the southeast may also wrap around the radio jet, but here complete helic es are not seen. The overall structure is reminiscent of the jet seen in NGC 4258. Faint symmetric features aligned with the nucleus could i ndicate the presence of a highly collimated beam of photons or plasma from the center.