NGC 3521: Stellar counter-rotation induced by a bar component

The spiral galaxy NGC 3521 exhibits apparently normal kinematic properties of gas and stars along its major axis. However, the analysis of the LOSVD r eveals strong asymmetries. A decomposition of the LOSVD data with a two-Gau ssian component model shows two counter-rotating stellar components. The ob served kinematic decoupling is interpreted as a projection effect induced b y the presence of a bar component seen almost end on. The bar produces loca lly a greater concentration of retrograde stellar orbits but this does not relate to a specific counter-rotating population. The signatures of the bar are identified in the velocity field derived from long-slit spectra obtain ed along the major, minor and 45 degrees intermediate axes and from R-band surface photometry.