The extent of CO in the early-type galaxy NGC 4472

NGC 4472, and E/SO system, is the earliest type normal galaxy with detected CO emission, and here we present additional radio observations in the lines of CO(1-0) and CO(2-1) to determine the distribution and internal properties of this gas. The original detection is reconfirmed, but observations at five surrounding locations and at two other locations in the galaxy do not show the gas to be extended; the total H2 gas mass is estimated to be 4 x 10(exp 7) solar mass. A high CO(1-0)/CO(2-1) brightness temperature ratio is found (greater than 3), which is indicative of subthermal excitation of the CO(2-1) line that can occur at low gas temperatures and low gas densities. Also, upper limits are given for the CO(2-1) fluxes in four other early-type galaxies.