Galaxy pairs from SDSS-DR2

Using a volume-limited sample of 845 groups with dark matter halo masses above 2.5x10^13^M_{sun}_, we isolate 221 galaxy pairs with <=1.5 r-band magnitude differences, <=30kpc projected separations and combined masses above 10^11^M_{sun}_. We fit the r-band images of each pair as the line-of-sight projection of symmetric models and identify 38 mergers by the presence of residual asymmetric structure associated with both progenitors, such as non-concentric isophotes, broad and diffuse tidal tails and dynamical friction wakes.