3C 324 is a member of a richgalaxy cluster, being positioned at the center of it.[5][6] Its host is classified as a spheroidal shapedelliptical galaxy with a moderate luminous profile, based on imaging by theSubaru Telescope. The galaxy's appearance is reddened and it has astar population mainly dominated by old stars.[7][8] Its currentstar formation rate is 52 Mʘ per year and the total age of the galaxy is 6.0 x 108 years.[9] The supermassive black hole mass is 37 ± 30 x 108 Mʘ.[10]
Further evidence also showed the host galaxy's appearance is slightly elongated due to the tidal interaction with a red companion.[6] Ininfrared imaging, the galaxy shows distortions on its eastern side, taking the form of an irregular blob, suggesting its star formation rate may be triggered by ongoinggalaxy mergers.[11] Imaging by theHubble Space Telescope (HST), showed its structure is broken up into a chain of highsurface brightness clumps.[12]
The radio source of the galaxy is categorized as a classic double. When imaged with theVery Large Array (VLA), it has two hot spot features located in its asymmetricalradio lobes, with one known faint radio feature situated within the southwest lobe. A broad extension is also noted stretching from the lobe towards the source's center. In the northeast lobe, a narrow feature is found. The southwest lobe is also described as heavily depolarized as compared to the northwest lobe.[13] Other radio imaging showed the source has aradio jet passing along the edge of the eastern lobe before turning towards the north by 55°. Direct evidence also shows the lobe has aspectral index described as steep.[14]
HST imaging revealed 3C 324 hasemission-line regions located east and west. The gas regions are made up of two components with avelocity separation of 800kilometers perseconds. These components are also shown as overlapping, with the western component being the slightly brightest and has a highfull width at half maximum.[15] A population of both red and blue galaxies have been found in the field around the galaxy.[16]
^Nakata, Fumiaki; Kajisawa, Masaru; Yamada, Toru; Kodama, Tadayuki; Shimasaku, Kazuhiro; Tanaka, Ichi; Doi, Mamoru; Furusawa, Hisanori; Hamabe, Masaru; Iye, Masanori; Kimura, Masahiko; Komiyama, Yutaka; Miyazaki, Satoshi; Okamura, Sadanori; Ouchi, Masami (2001-12-25). "Galaxy Population in a Cluster of Galaxies around the Radio Galaxy 3C 324 at z=1.2".Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan.53 (6):1139–1152.arXiv:astro-ph/0110597.doi:10.1093/pasj/53.6.1139.ISSN2053-051X.
