A new sample of large angular size radio galaxies II. The optical data

Abstract

We constructed and presented in the first paper of this series a new sample of 84 large angular size radio galaxies by selecting from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey objects with angular size ≥4′, declination above +60° and total flux density at 1.4 GHz ≥ 100 mJy. In this paper we present optical spectra and images of those galaxies associated with the radio emission for which no redshift was known prior to our observations. Optical counterparts have been identified for all (but one) members of the sample. After our observations, a reliable spectroscopic redshift is available for 67 objects (80%) from the sample. This paper, the second of a series of three, contributes to increase the number of well-defined samples of radio galaxies with ample spectroscopic information.