Bibcode
DOI
Vilchez, J. M.; Iglesias-Paramo, J.
Bibliographical reference
Astrophysical Journal Letters v.489, p.L13
Advertised on:
11
1997
Citations
14
Refereed citations
12
Description
In this Letter we report new evidence for a close three-galaxy
interaction in the compact group of galaxies HCG 95. Deep optical
imaging in the Johnson UBVRI bands and in narrowband H alpha have shown
four long tidal tails emanating from the two disk galaxies as well as
signs of transfer of material between one of the tidal tails and the
elliptical galaxy of the system. An unusual color gradient, likely
related to an obscuring patch of dust, has been found in the elliptical
galaxy. This fact, together with the morphology observed for the
extended H alpha emission of the elliptical galaxy, gives further
support to the thesis of the transfer of mass between the tidal tail and
this galaxy. We argue that these three galaxies will probably merge in a
few orbital periods; therefore, this system may represent a useful
empirical test of what theoretical models have predicted for the
evolution of compact groups.