Observations and interpretation of the line profiles of excited H2 in Orion
The profiles of the V=1-0 S(1) line of H2 in the Orion molecular cloud show a variation from the center of the emission region where the profiles are broad and have extended blue wings, to the periphery where the profiles are narrow and have a peak at the velocity of the molecular cloud. These observations can be understood by a model of a radially expanding supersonic flow of gas colliding with the surrounding molecular cloud. It is concluded that the high velocity emission originates in the flow and the low velocity emission originates in the molecular cloud. Density variations in the flow and the surrounding cloud are necessary to explain the detailed line profiles and morphology.