2003MNRAS.344L..80B

We present a near-infrared (near-IR) spectrum of the nearby radio galaxy PKS 1549-79 (z 0.153). These data were taken with the aim of testing the idea that this object contains a quasar nucleus that is moderately extinguished, despite evidence that its radio jet points close to our line of sight. We detect broad Paα emission (FWHM 1745±40 km/s), relatively bright continuum emission, and a continuum slope consistent with a reddened quasar spectrum (3.1 < A_V< 7.3), all emitted by an unresolved point source. Therefore we conclude that we have, indeed, detected a hidden quasar nucleus in PKS 1549-79. Combined with previous results, these observations are consistent with the idea that PKS 1549-79 is a young radio source in which the cocoon of debris left over from the triggering events has not yet been swept aside by circumnuclear outflows.