The radio structure of NGC 1275

We present high dynamic range VLA and MERLIN images of NGC 1275 at wavelengths of 18, 22, 90 and 199 cm with angular resolutions ranging from 0.3 to 40 arcsec. Over the central 30 arcsec there is evidence for collimated ejection mainly in PA 160o. Outside this region the radio structure shows evidence of a sharp change in direction to approximately PA 235o, before merging into the 10-arcmin radio halo. On arcsec and arcmin angular scales, there is considerable asymmetry between the structure north and south of the active nucleus. We consider the radio source structure to be consistent with an asymmetrical Fanaroff-Riley type I source, with the jet collimation axis close to the line-of-sight. The radio 'halo' consists of the outer lobes of this structure. (author)