4C-39.24 - DISCOVERY OF A GIANT RADIO GALAXY AT Z=1.88

The radio source 4C 39.24 (6C 0905 + 399) is shown to be the north-pre ceding lobe of a Ill-arcsec FR II 'classical double' with an unusual a symmetric structure. The core of the radio galaxy has been identified with a galaxy at z = 1.883 +/- 0.003, giving a projected linear size o f 4C 39.24 of D = (689 +/- 4) h(-1) kpc (assuming H-0 = 100 h km s(-1) Mpc(-1) and Omega = 0.04), making it the most distant 'giant' radio g alaxy known. We suggest that the 'quad-like' structure seen in the nor th-preceding radio lobe is caused by the multiple imaging by gravitati onal lensing of a single hotspot.