Arcsecond-Scale Kinematic and Chemical Complexity in Cepheus A East

We present results from Submillimeter Array (SMA) observations of the star-forming region Cepheus A East at ~340 GHz (875 μm) with 0.7''-2'' resolution. At least four compact submillimeter continuum sources have been detected as well as a rich forest of hot core line emission. Two kinematically, chemically, and thermally distinct regions of molecular emission are present in the vicinity of the HW2 thermal jet, both spatially distinct from the submillimeter counterpart to HW2. We propose that this emission is indicative of multiple protostars rather than a massive disk as reported by Patel et al.