High-Resolution Imaging of the Gravitational Lens System Candidate 2237+030

Images of the gravitational lens system candidate 2237+030 in three colors are obtained under seeings of 0.6"-0.9". The excellent seeing and the 0.2" per pixel scale permit the resolution of the system into four stellar components and the galaxy nuclear component in a cross pattern. The positions and intensities of the quasar-candidate components are derived using an iterative point-spread-function subtraction procedure. The largest separation of the components is 1.8". Variations of g - i colors of up to 0.3 mag are seen among the quasar-candidate components. This can be interpreted as variable absorption through the galaxy. An estimate of the true luminosity ratios of the four components is made. Detailed morphological study of the galaxy shows that the galaxy is a well-developed barred spiral with an inner ring and a small bulge. Standard de Vaucouleurs and exponential disk laws are fitted to the brightness profile.