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We present near--infrared observations of the ultraluminous high--redshift ($z=2.286$) IRAS source FSC 10214+4724 obtained in $0.''4$ seeing at the W. M. Keck Telescope. These new observations show that FSC 10214+4724 consists of a highly symmetric circular arc centered on a second weaker source. The arc has an angular extent of about $140^\circ$ and is probably unresolved in the transverse direction. This morphology constitutes compelling prima facie evidence for a gravitationally lensed system. Our images also contain evidence for the faint counter image predicted by the lens hypothesis. The morphology of FSC 10214+4724 can be explained in terms of a gravitationally lensed background source if the object located close to the center of the arc is an $L^*$ galaxy located at $z\approx 0.4 $.
The origin of the luminosity of FSC 10214+4724 is unclear -- it may be a protogalaxy undergoing its initial burst of star formation or a highly obscured quasar. If FSC 10214+4724 is lensed then there is significant magnification and its luminosity has been overestimated by a large factor. Our results suggest FSC~10214+4724 is not a uniquely luminous object but ranks among the most powerful quasars and ultraluminous IRAS galaxies.
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