Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 April 2016
The reason why some early-type galaxies contain powerful radio sources is not yet well understood, but it is often suggested that an external factor such as interaction with a neighbouring galaxy may be involved in triggering a radio source (Gisler 1976, Dressel 1981, Hummel 1981b). Radio emission may be enhanced in galaxies which have a close companion for several reasons, such as a gravitational perturbation or the possibility of gas accreted from the companion fuelling a central source. The latter effect might be expected to be more pronounced in elliptical galaxies, which are generally gas-poor (Faber and Gallagher 1976).