MERLIN observations of the gravitational lens system 2016 + 112

We present a λ6-cm MERLIN map of the gravitational lens system 2016 + 112. The map shows the three main regions of radio emission, previously designated A, B and C. For the first time the 'C-region' is clearly resolved into two components, C1 and C2, separated by ∽ 112 mas. C1 is extended in the east-west direction, while C2 is unresolved. We suggest that C2 is probably a lensed image associated with the Lyα image, C', previously detected in this region. The nature of C1 is less clear: either it is highly magnified lensed emission from part of the background source, or it is radio emission from a lensing galaxy located near C. Neither explanation is entirely satisfactory. The MERLIN map rules out previously published lens models of this system.