New early release observations of the Cepheus E outflow and its embedded source , obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope , are presented .
We show the driving source is detected in all 4 IRAC bands , which suggests that traditional Class 0 classification , although essentially correct , needs to accommodate the new high sensitivity infrared arrays and their ability to detected deeply embedded sources .
The IRAC , MIPS 24 and 70 \mu m new photometric points are consistent with a spectral energy distribution dominated by a cold , dense envelope surrounding the protostar .
The Cep E outflow , unlike its more famous cousin the HH 46/47 outflow , displays a very similar morphology in the near and mid-infrared wavelengths , and is detected at 24 \mu m. The interface between the dense molecular gas ( where Cep E lies ) and less dense interstellar medium , is well traced by the emission at 8 and 24 \mu m , and is one of the most exotic features of the new IRAC and MIPS images .
IRS observations of the North lobe of the flow confirm that most of the emission is due to the excitation of pure H _ { 2 } rotational transitions arising from a relatively cold ( T _ { ex } \sim 700 K ) and dense ( N _ { H } \sim 9.6 \times 10 ^ { 20 } cm ^ { -2 } ) molecular gas .