2011ApJ...736..125K

We report the high-resolution radio observations and the subsequent analysis of the radio-loud compact steep spectrum quasar FIRST J164311.3+315618, one of the members of a binary system. The second component of the system is a radio-quiet active galactic nucleus. The projected separation of this pair is 2".3 (15 kpc); it is one of the smallest-known-separation binary quasars. The multi-band images of this binary system made with the Hubble Space Telescope show that the host galaxy of the radio-loud quasar is highly disturbed. The radio observations presented here were made with the Multi-Element Radio-Linked interferometer network (MERLIN) at 1.66 GHz and 5 GHz. We show that the radio morphology of FIRST J164311.3+315618 is complex on both frequencies and exhibits four components that indicate the intermittent activity with a possible rapid change of the jet direction and/or restarting of the jet due to the interaction with the companion. The radio components that are no longer powered by the jet can quickly fade away. We suggest that this makes the potential distortions of the radio structure short-lived phenomena. Our numerical simulations show that the influence of the companion can lead to prolonged current and future activities. FIRST J164311.3+315618 is an unusual and statistically very rare low redshift binary quasar wherein the first close encounter is probably just taking place.