NGC 3521 is an SABb galaxy lying at less than 8 Mpc, which has been often identified to be a Milky Way analogue. However both optical and radio observations show a very disturbed external disk, while HI and Halpha rotation curves exhibit significant asymmetries suggesting a galaxy that has not reached dynamical equilibrium, yet.
In this work, we compare the extended kinematical information with broad-band images in the UV, optical, IR and radio in search of any hints or indications of previous accretion or merging events. By decomposing the stellar population of this galaxy and estimating the age distribution of the stars, we infer the timing of the last major merger event in the galaxy using both photometry and spectroscopical data.
Our results suggest that NGC 3521 has likely experienced a recent major merger in sharp contrast with the Milky Way.
