Abstract
II Zw 71 (UGC 9562) has been classified as a "probable" polar ring galaxy, based on its optical appearance. We present 21 cm and optical observations of this galaxy and its companion, the blue star-forming dwarf II Zw 70. Our 21 cm observations show that 5 × 108 solar masses of H I are present in a polar ring orbiting II Zw 71 and show a spatially and kinematically contiguous streamer with 2.5 × 108 solar masses of H I gas between the two galaxies. This gaseous bridge, plus our observations of Hα line emission in the polar ring and in II Zw 71, are strong evidence for an ongoing interaction between the two galaxies. However, the configuration of the streamer suggests that the polar ring itself may well have predated the current interaction, which then stimulated an outburst of star formation in the ring gas.
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