The detection of molecular gas in the ring galaxy Arp 143

We have used the NRAO 12 m telescope to map the inner 10 kpc of NGC 2445, the ring galaxy in Arp 143, in CO-12(J = 1-0). Emission is peaked near the ring galaxy nucleus, but we find evidence for an additional asymmetric and extended CO component. This extended CO distribution is consistent with an approximately 8 kpc diameter crescent-shaped ring of molecular gas, similar to the one seen in H I, accounting for approximately half of the total CO flux. Assuming this distribution, we derive a total H2 mass for NGC 2445 of 0.4-2.4 x 10(exp 10) solar mass, depending on whether a Galactic or low-metallicity Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) conversion factor is used, and an H2/H I mass ratio between 0.9 and 5. The ring is experiencing low rates of massive star formation despite very high gas column densities. We find that the gas surface density exceeds the critical threshold for star formation throughout the ring, even without a possible contribution from a significant molecular component. The absence of vigorous star formation is most simply understood in terms of its youth (approximately 30 Myr): massive stars have not had time to form in large numbers. Our results support the interpretation that NGC 2445 is a nascent ring galaxy, seen prior to its ring starburst phase.