High Resolution CO Imaging of the Molecular Disk around the Jets in KjPn 8

Received ; accepted – 2 – ABSTRACT We report high resolution (2.5 ′′) CO J=1−0 line imaging which confirms the presence of a molecular disk around the origin of the spectacular, 14 ′ × 4 ′ , episodic jets in the planetary nebula KjPn 8. The disk is 30 ′′ in diameter with an expansion velocity of ≈ 7 km s −1. The axis of the disk is aligned with the youngest and fastest (≈ 300 km s −1) of the bipolar jets, and there is evidence for interaction between the jets and the disk material. The inner 4 ′′ 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. Subject headings: circumstellar matter — ISM: jets and outflows — planetary nebulae: individual (KjPn 8) — stars: mass-loss – 3 –