In this paper, we present results of a photometric and kinematic study for a sample of 13 edge-on spiral galaxies with pronounced integral shape warps of their stellar discs. The global structure of the galaxies is analysed on the basis of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey imaging, in the g, r and i passbands. Spectroscopic observations are obtained with the 6-m Special Astrophysical Observatory telescope. In general, galaxies of the sample are typical bright spiral galaxies satisfying the Tully-Fisher relation. Most of the galaxies reside in dense spatial environments and, therefore, tidal encounters are the most probable mechanism for generating their stellar warps. We carried out a detailed analysis of the galaxies and their warps and obtained the following main results: (i) maximum angles of stellar warps in our sample are about 20°; (ii) warps start, on average, between 2 and 3 exponential scalelengths of a disc; (iii) stronger warps start closer to the centre, weak warps start farther; (iv) warps are asymmet
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4233-4245
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume461
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

    Research areas

  • galaxies: kinematics and dynamics, galaxies: spiral, galaxies: structure

ID: 7585751