Star-forming complexes in the polar ring galaxy NGC660

TL;DR

This study investigates the properties of star-forming complexes in the polar ring galaxy NGC660, revealing differences in dust content and luminosities compared to the galaxy's disk, likely due to its recent formation.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of star formation and interstellar medium parameters specifically in the polar ring of NGC660, highlighting their distinct characteristics.

Findings

Star-forming regions in the ring have lower infrared luminosities.

UV and Hα luminosities are reduced in the ring regions.

The differences are attributed to the recent formation of the polar ring.

Abstract

Galaxies with polar rings consist of two subsystems, a disk and a ring, which rotate almost in orthogonal planes. In this paper, we analyze the parameters characterizing the composition of the interstellar medium and star formation in star-forming complexes, belonging to a polar ring galaxy NGC660. We show that star-forming regions in the ring of the galaxy are distinctively different from those in the galaxy disk. They possess substantially lower infrared luminosities, indicative of less dust mass in these regions than in a typical disk star-forming region. UV and H$\alpha$ luminosities also appear to be lower in the ring, probably, being a consequence of its relatively recent formation.