A PHOTOMETRIC-STUDY OF POLAR RING GALAXIES - UGC-4261 AND UGC-5101 - GALAXIES WITH FORMING POLAR RINGS

The results of detailed multicolor surface photometry of the peculiar galaxies UGC 4261 and UGC 5101 are presented. The observations were ob tained using the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observator y. Both galaxies have large-scale ring structures outside their main b odies. The integrated characteristics of these structures are close to those of classic polar-ring galaxies. In at least one of the galaxies (UGC 4261), this structure rotates about the major axis of the galaxy . The galaxies UGC 4261 and UGC 5101 illustrate the possibility of the formation of polar rings during galaxy mergers.