A galaxy at a redshift of 3.215 - Further studies of the PKS 1614+051 system

Abstract

A narrow-emission-line companion of the quasar PKS 1614 + 051 was reported earlier as a probable galaxy at a redshift of 3.218, which would have made it by far the most distant galaxy known at the time. We report here on new radio and optical imaging, and optical and near-IR spectroscopy of the PKS 1614 + 051 system. We argue that the data support and reinforce the original interpretation of the companion object as a mildly active galaxy, possibly a marginal Seyfert.2. The object has a detectable and marginally resolved optical continuum, but was not detected at radio .wavelengths. The ionization state is low, and the emission lines are fairly narrow. The improved redshift for the companion, based on the Lyα line alone, is 3.215 ± 0.002. New Lyα images show interesting morphology of extended emission-line gas, suggestive of a possible tidal interaction with the neighboring QSO. Two other, fainter objects in the immediate proximity of the QSO may also be associated with the system. If this is the case, we may be seeing a group of galaxies in the early stages of formation.