The nature of the activity in Hickson compact groups of galaxies

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