"A plausible scenario for the tidal disruption
of the less massive galaxy is proposed. NGC 2444, having double the mass of NGC
2445, has undergone penetrating collision with the latter in a hyperbolic or a
parabolic orbit. After the first collision, the orbit has become bound. Our
results show that VV 117 has either just emerged from the first collision or are
on the verge of a second collision. NGC 2445 suffers considerable disruption and
mass loss. NGC 2444 is not affected much. The second collision is expected to
culminate in the merger of the two galaxies".