X-ray and optical study of the giant radio quasar 4C+74.26

We present the optical and X-ray study of the radioloud quasar 4C +74.26. The ASCA spectrum is rather complex with indications of a reflection component, a neutral iron line and a warm absorber. The underlying power law has a photon index of Γ = 2.03± 0.09. The soft X-ray flux in 1996 is nearly twice as high as that found in a ROSAT observation in 1993 without apparent spectral changes. The X-ray data support the picture deduced from previous radio observations that 4C +74.26 is seen under a relative large angle (∼ 45) with respect to its jet axis. However, the rather unusual X-ray spectral properties might as well be a signature of the quasar’s young evolutionary status. No interaction between the quasar and the nearby∼ 19mag galaxy could be found in the optical images.