High Resolution CO Imaging of the Molecular Disk around the jets in KjPN 8

Abstract

We report high resolution (2.5 arcsec) CO J=1-0 line imaging which confirms the presence of a molecular disk around the origin of the spectacular, 14 arcmin times 4 arcmin, episodic jets in the planetary nebula KjPn 8. The disk is 30 arcsec in diameter with an expansion velocity of approximately 7 km/s. The axis of the disk is aligned with the youngest and fastest (approximately 300 km/s) of the bipolar jets, and there is evidence for interaction between the jets and the disk material. The inner 4 arcsec of the disk are photo-ionized by the central star. The disk-jet system dominates the environment of this young nebula, and should govern the morphology of KjPn 8 as it evolves to become fully ionized.