Molecular bullets in the planetary nebula BD + 30 ◦ 3639

We report high resolution (1. 0×0. 5) CO line imaging of the compact planetary nebula BD+30 • 3639 that reveals a remarkable pair of high-velocity, molecular knots, or " bullets ". These bullets are ∼ 1 in size, and are symmetrical about the central star in position (±3 at P.A. ∼ 22 •) and in velocity (±50 km s −1). The mass of each bullet is > ∼ 7 × 10 −4 M and their kinematic age is ∼ 500 yr. The high velocity and symmetry of these structures indicate underlying bipolar jets from the central star that interact with the surrounding neutral gas. The unexpected presence of the bullets in BD+30 • 3639 strengthens the idea that jets are common and play a crucial role in the shaping of planetary nebulae.