[GZG2000] 85 , the SIMBAD biblio

We have obtained optical (BVR, [OIII]λ5007Å and Hα), near infrared (JHK) imaging and long-slit optical spectroscopy for the Blue Compact Dwarf galaxy Mrk 86 (NGC 2537). In this paper, the first of two, we present optical-near-infrared colors and emission-line fluxes for the currently star-forming regions, intermediate aged starburst and underlying stellar population. We also describe the evolutionary synthesis models used in Paper II. The R and Hα luminosity distributions of the galaxy star-forming regions show maxima at M_R=-9.5^m and L_Hα=10^37.3erg/s. The underlying stellar population shows an exponential surface brigthness profile with central value, µ_E,0=21.5mag/arcsec², and scale, α=0.88kpc, both measured in the R-band image. In the galaxy outer regions, dominated by this component, no significant color gradients are observed. Finally, a complete set of evolutionary synthesis models have been developed, covering a wide range in metallicity, 1/50Z_☉<Z<2Z_☉, and burst strength, 1-10^–4. These models include nebular continuum and recombination and forbidden-line emission.