Detection of shocked atomic gas in the Kleinmann-low nebula

Journal Article · Sun Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184310· OSTI ID:6176058

Werner, M W; Hollenbach, D J; Crawford, M K; Genzel, R; Townes, C H; Watson, D M

We have mapped the 63 ..mu..m /sup 3/P/sub 1/..-->../sup 3/P/sub 2/ fine-structure line emission of neutral atomic oxygen at the center of the Orion nebula with a resolution of 30''. There are three main emission peaks. One is associated with the region of strongest thermal radio continuum radiation close to the Trapezium cluster and probably arises at the interface between the H II region and the dense Orion molecular cloud. The other two (O I) line emission peaks, associated with the Kleinmann-Low nebula, are similar in both distribution and velocity to those of the 2 ..mu..m S(1) line of molecular hydrogen and of the high-velocity wings of rotational CO emission. The (O I) line profiles in the KL region are resolved at a resolution of 45 km s/sup -1/ and have an intrinsic width of about 50 km s/sup -1/, while the line profile in the vicinity of the Trapezium is unresolved. We show that the (O I) emission from the KL nebul can be produced in the shocked gas associated with the mass outflows in this region and is an important coolant of the shocked gas.

• Research Organization: NASA/Ames Research Center
• OSTI ID: 6176058
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 282:2; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHEMISTRY
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMOCHEMISTRY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
FLUID FLOW
FORBIDDEN TRANSITIONS
GAS FLOW
H2 REGIONS
INFRARED RADIATION
INFRARED SPECTRA
INTERFACES
LINE WIDTHS
MAPPING
NEBULAE
NONMETALS
OXYGEN
RADIATIONS
SHOCK WAVES
SPECTRA
VELOCITY