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We report extended H-alpha emission in the red spectrum of spiral galaxy HCG 95c. The longslit spectra that we obtained for this galaxy extends from 5500 to 9500 \AA with a mean spectral resolution of $\sim$14 \AA. The slit length of $\sim200 ''$ was ideally suited for studying the spatial distribution of emission features. Spectra were obtained with a slit orientated North-South, centered on the nucleus, parallel to the galaxy's northern spiral arm. The spectrum of HCG 95c shows redshifted H-alpha+[N II] and [S II] emission lines indicative of a LINER type AGN.
Spatial profiles extracted from the spectra show extended H-alpha emission being emitted by H II regions in the northern spiral arm, while the equivalent profiles for strong lower excitation forbidden lines of [N II] and [S II] are confined to the nuclear region. Morphologically, HCG 95c is interacting with the brightest member of the group (HCG 95a). The spatial profiles suggest non-nuclear starburst activity triggered by tidal forces, while the nuclear spectrum indicates non-thermal activity. This Hickson Compact Group interacting pair could be in the early stages of merging.
The observations were obtained at the UAO 61-inch telescope, Mt. Bigelow, AZ using the LPL longslit spectrometer in combination with an off-axis CCD camera guider system.
