Formation of rings in galactic discs by infalling small companions

We use N-body simulations to study the formation of rings in a disc galaxy by the impact of a small spherical companion. Both barred and non-barred target discs are considered. We discuss the effect of the properties of the target disc (distribution of mass in the disc, velocity dispersion, etc.) as well as of the mass and orbit of the companion on the properties of the rings, such as their amplitude, width, shape, expansion velocity and lifetime. In particular the amplitude, width, lifetime and expansion velocity of the first ring increase considerably with companion mass, and so does the expansion velocity of the particles within it and the total extent of the disc after the interaction. We also discuss the formation and evolution of spokes and show that they can be caused by companions of relatively small mass. In our three examples of oblique impacts on barred target galaxies we note important transient displacements of the bar, as well as changes of its pattern speed and size. An asymmetric pseudo-ring is formed in each case, and during the first stages of its evolution the bar forms part of it.