The spiral galaxy NGC 4698, showing its bright central bulge and surrounding dusty disk.

Does NGC 4698's central disk rotate at right angles to its main disk?

Published Sep 21, 2026

Verdict

True

Verification confidenceMedium

Explanation

Yes. The spiral galaxy NGC 4698 contains a small central disk of gas and stars that rotates perpendicular to its main disk. Different parts of this galaxy do not share the same plane of rotation.

NASA's September 18, 2026 Hubble feature describes this unusual arrangement. A research paper submitted in April 2012 already documented the perpendicular nuclear disk and investigated the galaxy's structure using optical and near-infrared images.

The recent image release is not the discovery date of this feature. Acquisition of gas from outside the galaxy is a proposed explanation for the central structure; the observed arrangement does not by itself establish every step of that formation history.

Key takeaway

A galaxy can contain components rotating in different planes. NGC 4698's new image highlights an already studied example.

Evidence

The Hubble feature describes perpendicular central rotation

NASA / ESA Hubble

Supports the claim

The September 2026 feature states that gas and stars nearest the galaxy's centre rotate perpendicular to the rest of its disk.

Based on: NASA

Earlier research identifies the nuclear disk

E. M. Corsini and colleagues

Supports the claim

The 2012 paper describes NGC 4698 as hosting a nuclear disk of gas and stars rotating perpendicular to its main disk.

Based on: arXiv

Formation history remains an interpretation

E. M. Corsini and colleagues

Provides context

The authors interpret their structural findings as supporting acquisition of external gas, distinguishing a formation scenario from the observed configuration.

Based on: arXiv