Giant radio galaxy 0503-286

Abstract

Discovery of a giant radio galaxy 0503-286 is reported, based on an ongoing search for such objects using the Ooty-Synthesis Radio Telescope at 327 MHz. Maps are also presented of the source made at 1.4 and 2.7 GHz using the 100-meter Effelsberg Radio Telescope. The source is identified with a 15-mag elliptical at a redshift z = 0.038 and has a classical double radio structure extending over 40 arcmin which corresponds to a linear size of 2.5 Mpc (q₀ = 0, H₀ = 50 km/s^-1 Mpc^-1). The pronounced asymmetry of its double structure is probably related to the asymmetric environmental conditions that seem to prevail around the parent galaxy. Some properties related to the radio structure of other known giant radio galaxies are also summarized and discussed.