Dynamical evolution of compact groups of galaxies

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We propose to study the nature of compact groups of galaxies, investigating their formation and dynamical evolution in an unprecedented manner. For the first time, a joint analysis of three components in Hickson compact groups will be performed: We examine the optical intragroup light that permeates most of those systems, the globular clusters systems hosted by the member galaxies and the galaxies themselves and investigate correlated properties. The intragroup light, formed by stripped stellar material dispersed in the gravitational potential, is revealed in wide-field images with high accuracy by a new technique that we developed based on wavelet transforms. The globular cluster systems associated to the group galaxies, as well as other populations (dwarfs, planetary nebulae) that work as probe particles are studied using images and spectroscopy from 8m class telescopes. All these systems and their properties, which may be affected by galaxy interaction processes, are compared to isolated galaxies. That way, we obtain a coherent picture of compact groups from supplementary features that allows us to establish strong constraints to models of formation and evolution of the groups as well as of cosmic structure build-up in general.