3D spectroscopic study of galactic rings: Formation and kinematics

Various ring structures observed in galaxies are considered. Formation and evolution of the rings are interesting problems in studies of the galactic morphology that is related to fundamental aspects of galactic evolution and dynamics: the nature and distribution of the dark matter, galactic interactions and internal secular evolution of the galaxies. A significant fraction of galactic rings forms in the disks due to gravitational torques from bar-like patterns. In contrast to this internally driven origin, the phenomenon of the polar-ring galaxies is closely connected with the processes of intergalactic interactions and merging. A more rare class of collisional rings reveals the density waves triggered in the stellar and gaseous disks after a strong head-on collision with a companion. We briefly review the status of studies of gas kinematics in the rings of different origin. We stress that velocity fields of the ionized gas obtained with the Fabry–Pérot interferometers provide a very important information for these studies.