We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of the peculiar objec
t AM 2049-691, whose most remarkable features are (1) two distinct nuclei c
onnected by a bridge and (2) two tails. We studied seven zones and found th
at they have spectral features typical of H II regions of low excitation, e
lectron temperatures and densities in the range of normal values for such r
egions, and quite high internal reddening. The derived H alpha + N II equiv
alent widths suggest enhanced star formation when a comparison is made with
isolated galaxies, especially in the northeast nucleus; the equivalent wid
th of the integrated spectrum reflects starburst activity in the whole obje
ct, which is compatible with a merger of two disk galaxies. We detected a c
omparative overabundance of nitrogen relative to oxygen in the southwest nu
cleus, which has the most evolved population. The bridge between the nuclei
was also observed in H alpha emission. B-V colors of the nuclei, after cor
rection for internal absorption, also indicate that they are star-forming r
egions. The central radial velocity dispersions at the nuclei suggest that
the most massive galaxy might be the progenitor of the southwest component.
The observed radial velocity distribution shows the presence of two subsys
tems, each one associated with a different nucleus.