Mergers and interactions in SDSS type 2 quasars at z~0.3-0.4. SDSS
  J143027.66-005614.8: a case study
  We present a compilation of HST images of 58 luminous SDSS type 2 AGNs at
0.3<z<0.4. 42 of them are type 2 quasars, which are a good representation of
all optically selected SDSS type 2 quasars in this range. We find that the
majority of the host galaxies are ellipticals (30/42 or 71%). This is
consistent with studies of radio loud and radio quiet type 1 quasars which show
that their host galaxies are in general ellipticals. A significant fraction of
type 2 quasars (>25/42 or >59%) show clear signatures of morphological
disturbance which are in most cases identified with merger/interaction
processes. We discuss this in the context of related works on type 2 quasars
and powerful radio galaxies.
  We study in detail the particular case of the radio quiet type 2 quasar SDSS
J143027.66-005614.8 at z=0.32 based on VLT, HST and SDSS imaging and
spectroscopic data. We discuss the global properties of the object in the
context of theoretical and observational studies of galaxy mergers/interactions
and their role in the triggering of the nuclear and star formation activities
in the most luminous active galaxies.
