  Aims. Near diffraction-limited images have been taken at 8.9, 11.9, and 12.9
micron for the brightest extragalactic sources in the southern sky, in order to
optimally plan N-band observations with MIDI (MID-infrared Interferometric
instrument) at the VLTI. Methods. We have assembled a sample of 21 objects
consisting of all the AGNs observable from Paranal observatory, Chile, plus
three non-AGN objects, with an estimated N-band flux greater than 400mJy. We
used the TIMMI2 Mid Infrared instrument mounted on the ESO's 3.6m telescope to
obtain near diffraction-limited images in order to establish the unresolved
core flux within < 0.5 arscsec. Results. Positions and core total fluxes were
obtained for all sources in our sample and compared with similar investigations
in the literature. We find that 15 AGN and the nuclear starburst in NGC 253
exhibit an unresolved core flux < 300mJy at 11.9 micron, making them promising
targets for MIDI at the VLTI. For extended sources, near diffraction-limited
images are presented and discussed.
