On the viewing angle to broad-lined radio galaxies

We address the nature of broad-lined radio galaxies, in particular their radio axis orientation, using new, matched resolution, dual frequency radio observations of a sample of twelve nearby broad-lined extragalactic 3C objects. Radio spectral index and depolarisation asymmetries indicate that these objects have a preferred orientation with respect to the observer. In addition, the spectral asymmetries are suggestive of lower Doppler factors in the broad-lined radio galaxies when compared to 3C quasars. This is in agreement with their optical properties, and leads to the conclusion that some objects are lower powered versions – at similar lines of sight – of the more distant quasars, whereas others are at larger angles to the line of sight.