New radio maps and optical identifications of distant 3 CR galaxies

Abstract

We have made radio observations with both high angular resolution and sensitivity at 6 and 11 cm of thirteen 3 CR radio sources. In eleven of these we have detected compact or fairly compact central components enabling us to pinpoint the location of the optical object and to confirm some previously suggested identifications. We have obtained optical images of 3C114, 3C277, and 3C437, which were previously unidentified, and have measured redshifts for 3C114, 3C272, 3C277, and 3C437. Optical information on the remaining sources has been or is being published elsewhere. All of the sources are associated with galaxies, with redshifts ranging from 0.165 to nearly 1.8. The newly identified sources have redshifts greater than 0.6. All the sources display some form of double structure, about half of them being symmetrical, classical doubles. It is pointed out that the higher redshift (z > 0.8) sources in this group have relatively weak bridges, although the high redshift sources with extended Lyα display strong bridge emission. In one case (3C114) we have evidence that the flux density of the central radio core varies.