Optical and radio structure of the quasar PKS 0812 + 02

Abstract

VLA observations of the quasar PKS 0812 + 02 (z = 0.402) have resolved it into three components: (1) a flat spectrum radio source coinciding with the quasar; (2) a northwest radio lobe which is resolved into two components separated by 0.6 arcsec along P.A. of approximately 70 deg with an overall spectral index of -1.0; and (3) a diffuse component of size 25 x 8 arcsec at a wavelength of 6 cm with a spectral index of -0.6. It is noted that the high ratio of peak surface brightness between the two lobes of the radio source and the extensive low brightness emission are unusual for quasars. The northwest radio lobe coincides with a diffuse optical object with a surface brightness of approximately 23.7 mag/sq arcsec. The low-resolution spectrum of the northwest object may indicate a dominant nonthermal emission source. It is concluded that if the northwest radio lobe and optical object are physically associated this would be one of the first detections of optical emission from a quasar radio lobe.