ENVIRONMENT OF SEYFERT-2 GALAXIES - THE GROUP OF GALAXIES AROUND NGC-5252

The relatively large neutral hydrogen contents and enhanced density of companion galaxies around Seyfert 2 galaxies suggests that tidal inte raction could play a major role in the evolution of Seyfert 2 galaxies . Recent observations of the distribution of neutral hydrogen in the a ctive SO galaxy NGC 5252 have shown a disturbed morphology which sugge sts that the HI in this galaxy could have been acquired through intera ction with neighboring galaxies (Prieto & Freudling 1993 and 1995). We have searched for other HI rich galaxies within a radius of 25 arcmin and a redshift range of +/-600 km s(-1) around the center location an d redshift of NGC 5252. A total of five galaxies were found, four of t hem are cataloged galaxies with no previous redshifts available. These five galaxies were mapped with the VLA in order to search for signs o f recent tidal interactions. The maps and derived HI parameters are pr esented and compared to the one of NGC 5252, the sixth member of the g roup. Two of the galaxies (UGC 8635) are an interacting pair. No signs of other recent interactions were found. Using the Arecibo telescope, we also searched for intergalactic neutral hydrogen between the group members as another potential source of gas for NGC 5252. Upper limits on intergroup gas are given for three positions. The lack of evidence for interaction among the galaxies could be interpreted in two differ ent ways. Either interaction occurred in the distant past and triggere d activity in this galaxy over a long period of time. Alternatively, f actors other than the gas supply might be responsible for the observat ion that Seyfert 2 galaxies tend to be surrounded by a region of enhan ced galaxy density.