THE NATURE OF THE ACTIVITY IN HICKSON COMPACT-GROUPS OF GALAXIES

We present the results of the spectral classification of the 82 bright est galaxies in a sample of 17 compact groups. We verify that the acti ve galactic nuclei (AGNs) are preferentially located in the most early -type and luminous galaxies of the groups, as is usually observed in t he field. But these AGNs also appear to be systematically concentrated toward the central parts of the groups. Our observations suggest corr elation between activity types, morphologies, and densities of galaxie s in the compact groups. This is consistent with a scenario in which g alaxies of compact: groups evolve by interacting with their environmen t and are currently in a quiet phase of their activity.