Multiple molecular outflows in AFGL 2688

We report high resolution (1."1 x 0."9) imaging of the proto-planetary nebu la AFGL 2688 in the CO (J=2-1) line and the continuum at 230 GHz, using the IRAM interferometer. The observations reveal with unprecedented detail the structure and the kinematics of the gas ejected by the star over the past few hundred years. Two distinct, high-velocity outflow directions are detec ted emerging from a central core of gas which surrounds the star: one is or iented north-south along the optical axis, the other is oriented east-west, close to the equatorial plane. We resolve the north-south and east-west ou tflows into a striking series of collimated, bipolar outflows. The tips of the outflows in the east-west direction correspond precisely to Ha emission peaks seen in recent HST imaging at 2 mu m, providing direct evidence for the impact and likely shaping effects of jets on the nearly spherical AGE m olecular envelope. These outflows exemplify the mechanism by which point sy mmetries are imprinted on the structure of planetary nebulae at early stage s of their formation.