Star formation activity in the group of galaxies NGC 6221 & NGC 3263

Abstract

We obtained 21-cm spectral line and continuum data with the MeerKAT interferometer of three nearby galaxy groups that contain widespread tidal debris. Our targets, the NGC 3263, NGC 2434, and NGC 6221 groups, are at different evolutionary stages. We studied the star formation activity in the group members and potentially in their tidal features; we used MeerKAT’s radio continuum observations along with data available at other frequencies, such as FIR data (60 µm and 100 µm) from IRAS and mid-IR (12 µm) from WISE. In this opportunity, we present the preliminary results of the groups NGC 3263 and NGC 6221, and we will discuss the possibility of separating the thermal and nonthermal contribution from radio continuum emission in the main galaxies of the studied groups.