SEARCHING FOR A FAR-INFRARED ENHANCEMENT IN COMPACT-GROUPS OF GALAXIES

We test the claim that an FIR enhancement is observed from galaxies in compact groups. We present three kinds of evidence that the FIR sources in many groups are likely the combined contribution of two or more members. We conclude that the level of FIR emission from group galaxies has been overestimated in previous work. The overestimate arises because of the limited resolution of the IRAS survey. Correction for this effect will lessen the already weak evidence for an FIR enhancement in groups. This result poses difficulties for models that see the groups as compact configurations in the process of merger.