| Abstract | In this series of papers we explore the optical morphology, the photometric properties, and the colors of powerful radio galaxies (P_178_ > 5 x 10^24^ W Hz^-1^ for a cosmology with H_0_ = 100 km s^-1^ Mpc^-1^, q_0_ = 0). Recent studies have determined that some fraction of powerful radio galaxies have peculiar optical morphologies and colors suggestive of galaxy-galaxy interactions. A large sample was constructed in order to explore more fully some of the trends suggested by this earlier work. Paper I presents the B and V CCD image data for 72 powerful radio galaxies obtained with the CTIO 4 m, KPNO 4 m, and KPNO 2.1 m telescopes. The GASP software package was used for data reduction and isophotal ellipse fitting. Surface brightness profiles along with the variation of ellipse position angle, ellipticity, and galaxy (B - V) color with radius were produced in order to study galaxy properties. Image modeling techniques were employed to investigate the contribution to galaxy properties by pointlike nuclear sources seen in some of these objects. In addition, contributions to galaxy luminosity by emission-line gas were removed using published spectra. The images reveal that a significant fraction (> 50%) of powerful radio galaxies are morphologically distorted and that many of these galaxies have unusual colors (compared with those of giant ellipticals at the same redshift). Results for individual objects are discussed. Paper II will detail the statistics for the sample and their implications for theories concerning the origin of activity in galaxies. |
