Molecular gas in NGC 7129

This paper reports new submillimeter molecular line observations of NGC 7129, a reÑection nebula and star-forming region. Maps of 12CO and 13CO 2-1 and 3-2 emission show a cavity surrounded by bright ridges of denser molecular gas. Known molecular outflows in the region issue from deeply embedded sources in these ridges. Only the red lobe of the most prominent outflow is seen clearly, but there is some evidence to suggest that a blue counterjet is escaping through the front of the cavity. We suggest a picture of the region’s evolution in which the oldest star, BD +65°1638, created the cavity by sweeping the surrounding interstellar gas into the surrounding ridges. This led to further star formation, as evidenced by the outflow sources found in the ridges. One of these sources, FIRS 2, thought to be an intermediate-mass analog of a Class 0 young stellar object, is coincident with a pointlike source seen in a near-IR (K’)image.