[1] The most famous group on Hickson's list of 100 objects is HCG 92, Stephan's Quintet.

According to Hickson: “Most compact groups contain a high fraction of galaxies having morphological or kinematical peculiarities, nuclear radio and infrared emission, and starburst or active galactic nuclei (AGN) activity.

They contain large quantities of diffuse gas and are dynamically dominated by dark matter.

Strong galaxy interactions result and merging is expected to lead to the ultimate demise of the group.

Compact groups are surprisingly numerous, and may play a significant role in galaxy evolution.”[2]