From Earth it is impossible to tell whether these galaxies are in fact neighbors or whether their apparent proximity is caused by a chance superimposition. 
    The red spots are interstellar H II regions, clouds of ionized gas that are energized by the radiation of young stars; much of the energy in these regions is contained in the strong H alpha emission line. The brightest H II region lies near the apparent surface of contact between the two galaxies. This is not particularly strong evidence for an interaction. Starbursts (see IC 2163) or tidal tails and streamers (see ESO B138) are much stronger indications of interaction.