A multi-wavelength study of the star forming complex NGC 6334

NGC 6334 (1=351°.1, b=0°.7, distance = 1.7 kpc) is a region where multiple star formation has occurred and is still ongoing. In the far infrared, it consists of 6 compact objects all lying along a southwest-northeast line with a projected distance of 9 pc (Loughran et al. 1986). We have undertaken a multi-wavelength study of the complex in the millimetre and sub-millimetre wavelength range to develop a better understanding of the global astrophysics of star formation processes. J = 2→1 CO emission and isotopomers were mapped over the entire complex, and CS 7→6 as well as CO 3→2 emission were mapped over the northern part only. In addition, for the two northernmost sites I and I(N), we have carried out a spectral line survey covering the frequency ranges 219-231 GHz and 335-348 GHz. some results shown are the following: i) a ridge 8 - 9 pc long of arge axial ratio dominates the maps of CO emission.; it is also present in CS maps, which indicates the presence of dense gas; ii) region I has a very energetic outflow; the mechanical luminosity, apart from that of OMC1, is among the largest known; iii) region I is an abundant source of molecules, rivalling OMC1 and Sgr B2 as a molecular factory