Polar-ring galaxies: New candidates and statistics

We present the results of our observational study of two candidates for polar-ring galaxies (PRGs). Both objects, A2330-3751 and SDSS J000911.57-003654.7, are giant edge-on galaxies with large-scale structures resembling polar rings observed along their minor axes. The optical diameter of the putative ring reaches 60 kpc in A2330-3751 and 18 kpc in SDSS J000911.57-003654.7. To estimate the space density of PRGs, we have constructed their luminosity function in the range of B-band absolute magnitudes from -17 (center dot) (m) 5 to -21 (center dot) (m) 5. We have found that similar to 10(-3) of the nearby galaxies exhibit polar structures. Polar rings around early-type (E/S0) galaxies are encountered approximately a factor of 3 more frequently than those around spiral ones. According to our estimates, similar to 20-30 PRGs in which large-scale rings are seen almost face-on must be observed among relatively bright galaxies (B a parts per thousand currency sign 15 (m) ).