Bulge-Disk Evolution in Interacting Bulgeless Galaxies

Abstract

Bulgeless galaxies are an extreme class of late type spiral galaxies that have practically no bulge and are nearly pure disk in morphology. Their lack of evolution is a puzzle for theories of galaxy formation and the secular evolution of galaxy disks. However, one of the processes by which these galaxies could evolve is through interactions with other galaxies. In this study we present radio (GMRT) observations of star formation in a sample of bulgeless galaxies. We did followup Hα imaging and optical spectroscopy of two galaxies, NGC 3445 and NGC 4027. Both galaxies have extended emission associated with their tidal interactions. Their nuclei show ongoing star formation but no signs of AGN activity. The R band images suggest that their centers have oval distortions or pseudobulges that may later evolve into larger bulges. Thus interactions are an important trigger for the formation of bulges in such disk dominated systems.