2000AJ....120.1467W

We present sensitive (T^*_R~0.1 K), large-scale (47'x7'–corresponding to 4 pcx0.6 pc at the source) maps of the CO J=1⟶0 emission of the L1448 dark cloud at 55" resolution. These maps were acquired using the on-the-fly (OTF) capability of the NRAO 12 m telescope atop Kitt Peak in Arizona. CO outflow activity is seen in L1448 on parsec scales for the first time. Careful comparison of the spatial and velocity distribution of our high-velocity CO maps with previously published optical and near-infrared images and spectra has led to the identification of six distinct CO outflows. Three of these are powered by the Class 0 protostars, L1448C, L1448N(A), and L1448N(B). L1448 IRS 2 is the source of two more outflows, one of which is newly identified from our maps. The sixth newly discovered outflow is powered by an as yet unidentified source outside of our map boundaries. We show the direct link between the heretofore unknown, giant, highly collimated, protostellar molecular outflows and their previously discovered, distant optical manifestations. The outflows traced by our CO mapping generally reach the projected cloud boundaries. Integrated intensity maps over narrow velocity intervals indicate there is significant overlap of blue- and redshifted gas, suggesting the outflows are highly inclined with respect to the line of sight, although the individual outflow position angles are significantly different. The velocity channel maps also show that the outflows dominate the CO line cores as well as the high-velocity wings. The magnitude of the combined flow momenta, as well as the combined kinetic energy of the flows, are sufficient to disperse the 50 M_☉ NH₃ cores in which the protostars are currently forming, although some question remains as to the exact processes involved in redirecting the directionality of the outflow momenta to effect the complete dispersal of the parent cloud.