IMAGING OF LOW REDSHIFT QSOs WITH WFPC2

Abstract

Observations with the PC2 CCD of the Hubble Space Telescope are described of two bright QSOs of redshift ~0.3. 1403+434 is IR-bright and radio-quiet, and 2201+315 is radio-loud with extended structure. Exposures were taken with the F702W and F555W filters. The images are deconvolved on their own and combined with 0.5 arcsec ground-based images. Both host galaxies have the form and luminosity of bright ellipticals, with nuclei of 1-2 times higher luminosity. 1403+434 is strongly interacting while 2201+315 may be in later stages of a merger, both with a smaller companion. Both host galaxies have compact knots and other small-scale peculiar features. Some general remarks are made based on the total program sample of 6 QSOs.