‘Garland’ – an unusual object near NGC 3077

Large-scale photographs are presented for the irregular dwarf object (‘Garland’) which is in contact with NGC 3077. The object resolves into separate complexes of blue stars surrounded by emitting gas. For some knots with mB = 20 – 20.5 mag, radial velocities have been measured. An assumption that the Garland was formed $\sim1\times{10}^{9}$yr ago when NGC 3077 and M81 approached each other closely is discussed. The Garland may be an intermediate stage in the conversion of a tidal tail or bar into an ordinary dwarf galaxy.