The Extraordinary Radio Galaxy MRC B1221–423

Abstract

MRC B1221–423 is a compact steep spectrum (CSS) radio source in the core of a remarkable elliptical galaxy. We examine its environment with long-slit spectra and multicolour images. A high-resolution synthesis image shows the radio source to have a 1´´.5 (5.7 kpc) double structure. We use the empirical relationship between jet kinetic power and narrow line luminosity to infer a source age of ~10⁵ yr. The z = 0.1706 host galaxy is clearly disturbed, with tidal features and shells providing plausible evidence for a merger with one or more close companions. This evidence leads us to conclude that B1221–423 may be the progenitor of a much larger source, caught at an early stage in its radio evolution. We speculate that it is the interaction and accompanying events which have triggered this young powerful radio source.