RADIO DETECTION OF A DOUBLE NUCLEUS IN THE MERGING GALAXY NGC-3256

NGC 3256 is a well-known merging galaxy with two prominent tidal tails. An extended and vigorous starburst makes it one of the nearest known luminous infrared galaxies. We have imaged the radio continuum using the Australia Telescope Compact Array and find clear indication of a double nucleus. Each of the two nuclei is compact but lies on an extended diffuse component, which may be related to the start of the two tidal tails. The existence of two nuclei implies that the galaxy is still in the process of merging, in contrast to earlier suggestions that the merger was almost complete. The radio continuum is predominantly nonthermal emission from remnants of supernovae which occur about one every 3 years in each nucleus. We find no evidence for a Seyfert nucleus.