Photometric study of a sample of southern binary galaxies

Aims. This work exhibits the basic optical photometric data for a sample of 50 probable southern binary galaxies. Our sample covers a broad range of pair separations, stages of interaction, and morphologies. From the initial list of selected pairs, using spectroscopic data from the literature and our own data, we conclude that 84% of these systems are true binary galaxies. Methods. We present residual and asymmetric maps, R major semi-axis profiles of surface brightness, ellipticity, position-angle, harmonic Fourier coefficients of third and fourth order (b(3) and b(4)) for 50 probable pairs, and B-R color maps for 47 of these pairs. For most galaxies, we present the profiles in two different ways, aiming to verify the influence of random errors on them. Results. We note that random errors in position-angle profiles are at least 2 degrees, but a more significant result must take into account a variation larger than 11 degrees for this distribution. Barred galaxies usually show a typical behavior in ellipticity and position-angle profiles: these profiles display variations when changing from a bar to a disk region. In some cases, the variations also occur along the bar. Some galaxies show distribution profiles that are common for their morphological type, and the interaction signature is only evidenced by their residual maps. Bars are usually redder and rings are bluer, when compared with the galaxy outskirts. Conclusions. Our data indicates that there is a connection between interaction strength and morphological distortions in binary galaxies. If we consider the projected separation of a pair as an indication of interaction strength, distortions such as displaced centers, anomalous shapes of spiral arms, and twistings of external regions are easily detected in some close pairs, although not all components of close pairs show this behavior. Our data suggests that besides interaction, other parameters, like orbital geometry and internal properties of galaxies, can stimulate binary galaxies' peculiarities.