Unlocking the Secrets of Polar Ring Galaxies: A New Era in Understanding Galaxy Evolution

Sunday 06 April 2025


A recent study has shed new light on the mysterious Polar Ring Galaxies, a type of galaxy that is characterized by a ring of gas and stars orbiting around its main body. The researchers used data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and the UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) to analyze three specific galaxies: NGC 3718, NGC 2685, and NGC 4262.


These galaxies are fascinating because they don’t fit into our usual understanding of galaxy evolution. Polar Ring Galaxies are typically thought to be in a state of transition between two different stages of galactic development. The ring is often younger and more dynamic than the rest of the galaxy, suggesting that it may have formed through the interaction with another galaxy or the collapse of gas within the galaxy itself.


By examining the properties of these three galaxies, researchers were able to identify distinct patterns in their evolution. For example, they found that the ring regions are generally younger than the rest of the galaxy, and that the rate of star formation is higher in these areas. This suggests that the rings may be fueled by gas and dust that is being channeled into them from other parts of the galaxy.


One of the most striking findings was the discovery of a correlation between the HI gas fraction (the amount of neutral hydrogen gas present) and the NUV-r color of the galaxies. This relationship suggests that the evolution of these galaxies may be linked to their ability to form new stars. Galaxies with higher levels of star formation tend to have lower HI gas fractions, indicating that they are using up their available gas supply.


The study also revealed a range of interesting physical properties among the three galaxies. For example, NGC 3718 has a relatively low stellar mass and high HI gas fraction compared to the other two galaxies. This may indicate that it is still in an early stage of evolution, with plenty of room for growth and development. In contrast, NGC 2685 has a higher stellar mass and lower HI gas fraction, suggesting that it is further along in its evolutionary journey.


The researchers used UVIT data to study the distribution of stars and gas within each galaxy. They found that the ring regions are often characterized by a mix of young and old stars, indicating a complex history of star formation. In some cases, they even detected signs of recent starburst activity, where large numbers of new stars formed in a short period of time.


Cite this article: “Unlocking the Secrets of Polar Ring Galaxies: A New Era in Understanding Galaxy Evolution”, The Science Archive, 2025.


Galaxies, Polar Ring Galaxies, Galaxy Evolution, Star Formation, Neutral Hydrogen Gas, Hi Gas Fraction, Stellar Mass, Nuv-R Color, Uvit, Sloan Digital Sky Survey


Reference: Krishna R. Akhil, Sreeja S Kartha, Ujjwal Krishnan, Blesson Mathew, Robin Thomas, Shankar Ray, Ashish Devaraj, “Connecting the dots: Tracing the evolutionary pathway of Polar Ring Galaxies in the cases of NGC 3718, NGC 2685, and NGC 4262” (2025).


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