SPECTROPOLARIMETRY OF 3C-265, A MISALIGNED RADIO GALAXY

We present spectropolarimetry of the powerful radio galaxy 3C 265 at z = 0.811. The rest-frame UV continuum, which has an elongated structur e misaligned by about 35 degrees with respect to the radio axis, and t he broad Mg II 2800 are strongly polarized, while the narrow forbidden lines are unpolarized. The E-vector direction is constant with wavele ngth and is perpendicular to the UV axis. Therefore the extended UV co ntinuum is due to scattering of anisotropic quasar light, and the othe r explanations of the 'alignment effect' in distant radio galaxies, in volving a direct connection with the radio-emitting plasma, are very u nlikely in 3C 265, because of the misalignment.