Deep WFPC2 and Ground-based Imaging of a Complete Sample of 3C Quasars and Galaxies

Abstract

We present the results of an HST and ground-based imaging study of a complete 3C sample of z ~ 1 sources, including 5 quasars and 5 radio galaxies. We have resolved continuum structure around all of our quasars in the WFPC2 images and in four of the five ground-based K' images. All of the quasars have some optical continuum structure that is aligned with the radio axis. In 3 of these cases, some of this optical structure is most likely due to optical synchrotron radiation, including optical counterparts to two radio jets and one radio lobe. Two quasars have aligned continuum and emission-line structures that are probably not due to beamed optical synchrotron emission. In another quasar, we see a red aligned object that lies 3 arcsec beyond the radio lobe, and may be an unassociated foreground galaxy, but has a remarkable morphological resemblance to the radio lobe itself. The radio galaxies and the quasars in this small sample have similar incidence of alignment, and the optical and K' flux densities are consistent within the high dispersion. The average quasar host galaxy luminosity is equivalent to, or a little fainter than, L*. All components around the quasars have optical-infrared colors that are redder than or similar to the colors of their respective nuclei; this is generally more consistent with a stellar rather than scattered origin for the emission. This study provides qualitative support for the unification of FRII quasars and galaxies.

69 pages, LaTeX (aaspp4.sty); 10 tables (aj_pt4.sty); 22 figures; accepted to A.J., August 1997

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