Optical spectroscopy of radio galaxies in Abell clusters. 1: Redshifts and emission-line properties

Abstract

We present results of a program of optical spectroscopy of radio galaxies in rich clusters. Redshifts are reported for 268 radio galaxies or close companions in Abell clusters and 36 objects which turned out to be foreground or background objects. Absolute line strengths are also reported for the 3727 A (O II) line and the (N II)/H alpha complex. We find no evidence that the radio activity in our sample of mostly FR I radio galaxies is associated with emission-line luminosities above those found in normal galaxies of the same absolute magnitude and optical type. We also find that the radial velocity differences between radio galaxies and the cluster mean seem mainly to be a function of galaxy absolute magnitude rather than radio properties.