OPTICAL ENVIRONMENTS OF RADIO QUASARS

We present and discuss CCD images of 36 radio-loud quasars in the redshift range 0.1-0.75. The objects were chosen to represent the full range of radio structure found with VLA A-configuration observations. Measured quantities are compared and correlated from both radio and optical observations. At least 70% of the quasars studied here show evidence for current or recent interaction. We examine host galaxy sizes and luminosities, states of tidal interaction and numbers of companions, and relate these to radio morphology and luminosity. Although no strong correlations were detected, we present and discuss several weak trends which are deserving of further investigation.