The gravitational lens system 2016+112 revisited

Abstract

In the light of recently reported observations of the triple radio source 2016+112 by Schneider et al. (1985, 1986), gravitational lens models of this system are constructed based on two lens galaxies and a cluster. Various observations of this multiply imaged quasar system, including some of the features accompanying object C, are reasonably well reproduced. The admissible lens models involve a five-image configuration with two merging images rather than just three images. In this respect this lens system is analogous to the triple quasar 1115+080. In the models the emission line regions accompanying images A and B arise from two distinct sources. A measurement of time delays, a relation between conceivable VLBI structures associated with images, and further radio observations of the object C as possible tests of the lens models are suggested.