Gravitational interaction in the compact group H96

We have analyzed the morphology and dynamics of the stellar component of the Hickson Compact Group H96 by means of CCD imaging in standard photometric bands and long slit spectroscopy. This compact group shows several signs of gravitational interaction. Two of the four galaxies in the group have tails, and all the galaxies show signs of gravitational perturbations. The group is also well isolated and has a low velocity dispersion. These results taken together lead us to conclude that H96 constitutes a real physical system. © 1997 OPA (Overseas Publishers Association) Amsterdam B.V. Published under license under the Gordon and Breach Science Publishers imprint.