Abstract
The ‘triple’ quasar, PG1115 +08 (which actually contains at least four objects: A1, A2, B and C) was the second gravitational lens object to be found1. But because of its small angular scale (<2.5 arc s separation between components) and lack of detectable radio emission, which precludes the use of high-resolution interferometric radio techniques, not much is known about this object. In particular, the lensing object(s) have not been identified. Here we report imaging observations made on a night of exceptional seeing, as well as spectroscopy of two galaxies near the quasar. We find that there is a galaxy centred approximately midway between the two A components. The properties of this galaxy are consistent with it being the brightest member of a small group at a group redshift of 0.305. Although detailed modelling is required, it is likely that the galaxy and its group are the lenses.
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