SPH Simulations of Barred Galaxies: Evolution of Nuclear Rings

Numerical simulations based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is performed to investigate the dynamical properties of barred galaxies that have nuclear rings. The nuclear ring morphology depends on the relative strength of bar potentials. Nuclear rings form between the two ILRs and align perpendicular to the bars unless the bar potentials are strong enough to allow the x1 orbits near the ILRs. Shock dissipation plays a critical role in the formation of nuclear rings.