THE INTERACTING-SYSTEM ARP-30

Arp 30 is a galaxy pair composed of a face-on spiral and an edge-on di sk galaxy There have been very few observations of Arp 30, probably be cause of its great distance (160 Mpc for Ho of 50). We have obtained C CD images of Arp 30 in the B, V, R, and I bands and a narrow filter at the redshifted Ha wavelength, J, H, and K images from the KPNO's SQII D, and optical-red spectra of each galaxy. These results combined with IRAS data show that Arp 30 is a moderate starburst system of about tw ice the luminousity of M82 and a total star formation rate of about 18 M./yr. Star formation is occurring in both components of the pair and is most enhanced in the nucleus of the face-on galaxy. The galaxies a ppear to be connected by a bridge containing clumpy Her emission, a fe ature resembling young star clusters. The structure and star formation enhancement resemble simulations of disk galaxies in their first clos e pass. (C) 1996 American Astronomical Society.