Next Section: Introduction

HI Observations of Compact Groups of Galaxies

Tom Oosterloo
CSIRO, ATNF, PO Box 76, Epping NSW 2121, Australia
toosterl@atnf.csiro.au

Angela Iovino
Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera, via Brera 28, 20121 Milano, Italy
iovino@brera.mi.astro.it

Abstract:

We present preliminary results from HI observations of a new sample of compact groups done with the Parkes telescope, as well as from images made with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). These observations confirm earlier claims that a significant fraction of compact groups are deficient in HI, and hence that a significant fraction of groups of galaxies that appear compact on the sky are indeed compact systems. The ATCA observations of a very HI-poor group suggest that this group is a true compact system in an advanced stage of evolution. However, the ATCA observations also show that HI-rich groups exist that are genuinely compact.

© Copyright Astronomical Society of Australia 1997