The Bulge-Disk Orthogonal Decoupling in Galaxies: NGC 4698

Abstract

The R-band isophotal map of the Sa galaxy NGC 4698 shows that the inner region of the bulge structure is elongated perpendicularly to the major axis of the disk, this is also true for the outer parts of the bulge if a parametric photometric decomposition is adopted. At the same time the stellar component is characterized by an inner velocity gradient and a central zero-velocity plateau along the minor and major axis of the disk respectively. This remarkable geometric and kinematic decoupling suggests that a second event occurred in the formation history of this galaxy.

12 pages, LaTex, with 4 PostScript figures. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters