Mergers and interactions in Sloan Digital Sky Survey 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 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.