NUCLEAR FORMALDEHYDE ABSORPTION IN NGC-253

The molecular structure observed in the lambda = 6 cm K-doublet H2CO ( formaldehyde) transition against the nucleus of NGC 253 forms an integ ral part of a hierarchy of structures of its nuclear region. Two disti nct nuclear disk components are seen in the formaldehyde absorption da ta: an outer disk, also seen in other molecular tracers, and a rapidly rotating compact inner disk. Available data for the nuclear region in dicates a warped edge-on inner disk structure containing prominent sup ernova remnants and a collimated outflow oriented roughly perpendicula r to the plane of the disk. No 6 cm formaldehyde emission is found in the nucleus of NGC 253.