The extraordinary radio galaxy MRC B1221-423: probing deeper at radio
  and optical wavelengths
  We present optical spectra and high-resolution multi-wavelength radio
observations of the compact steep-spectrum radio source MRC B1221-423
(z=0.1706). MRC B1221-423 is a very young (~10^5 yr), powerful radio source
which is undergoing a tidal interaction with a companion galaxy. We find strong
evidence of interaction between the AGN and its environment. The radio
morphology is highly distorted, showing a dramatic interaction between the
radio jet and the host galaxy, with the jet being turned almost back on itself.
H I observations show strong absorption against the nucleus at an infall
velocity of ~250 km/s compared to the stellar velocity, as well as a second,
broader component which may represent gas falling into the nucleus. Optical
spectra show that star formation is taking place across the whole system. Broad
optical emission lines in the nucleus show evidence of outflow. Our
observations confirm that MRC B1221-423 is a young radio source in a gas-rich
nuclear environment, and that there was a time delay of a few x 100 Myr between
the onset of star formation and the triggering of the AGN.
