The Orthogonal Bulge-Disc Decoupling in NGC 4698

The R-band isophotal map of the Sa galaxy NGC 4698 shows that the inner region of the bulge is elongated perpendicularly to the major axis of the disc. At the same time a central stellar velocity gradient is found along the minor axis of the disc. The same properties have also been recognized in the Sa galaxy NGC 4672. This remarkable geometric and kinematic decoupling is a direct indication that a second event occurred in the history of these galaxies suggesting that acquisition phenomena could play a primary role in the formation of early-type spirals.