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We present a multiwavelength study of the nucleus, environment, jets, andhotspots of the nearby FRII radio galaxy 3C 321, using new and archival datafrom MERLIN, the VLA, Spitzer, HST, and Chandra. An initially collimated radiojet extends northwest from the nucleus of its host galaxy and produces acompact knot of radio emission adjacent (in projection) to a companion galaxy,after which it dramatically flares and bends, extending out in a diffusestructure 35 kpc northwest of the nucleus. We argue that the simplestexplanation for the unusual morphology of the jet is that it is undergoing aninteraction with the companion galaxy. Given that the northwest hotspot thatlies >250 kpc from the core shows X-ray emission, which likely indicates insitu high-energy particle acceleration, we argue that the jet-companioninteraction is not a steady-state situation. Instead, we suggest that the jethas been disrupted on a timescale less than the light travel time to the end ofthe lobe, $\sim 10^6$ years, and that the jet flow to this hotspot will only bedisrupted for as long as the jet-companion interaction takes place. The hostgalaxy of 3C 321 and the companion galaxy are in the process of merging, andeach hosts a luminous AGN. As this is an unusual situation, we investigate thehypothesis that the interacting jet has driven material on to the companiongalaxy, triggering its AGN. Finally, we present detailed radio and X-rayobservations of both hotspots, which show that there are multiple emissionsites, with spatial offsets between the radio and X-ray emission.

A Radio Through X-ray Study of the Jet/Companion-Galaxy Interaction in 3C 321