Star formation along a misaligned bar in the peculiar starburst galaxy Mkn 439

We report the detection of massive star formation along a bar in the peculiar starburst galaxy Mkn 439. We present optical B, R and H alpha+[NII] emission line images as well as H band images to show that the signature of the bar becomes progressively weak at longer wavelengths. Moreover, this bar is misaligned with the main body of the galaxy. The peak H alpha emission does not coincide with the bluest regions seen in the colour maps. We infer that the starburst is young since the stars in the burst have not started influencing the light in the near infrared. There are indications of dust in the inner regions of this galaxy.