  We present VLT long slit optical spectroscopy of the luminous BL Lacertae
object PKS 2005-489. The high signal-to-noise ratio and the good spatial
resolution of the data allow us to detect the signatures of ongoing star
formation in an extended rotating ring, at ~4 kpc from the nucleus. We find
that the ring is almost perpendicular to the radio axis and its total star
formation rate is ~1 MSol/yr. We briefly discuss the concomitant presence of
recent star formation and nuclear activity.
