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# Program information file
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PROGRAM_ID           2023A013
PROGRAM_TITLE        Completing the Molecular Puzzle: H2 in the Orion BN/KL Region
PROGRAM_INV1         Sarah Nickerson
PROGRAM_INV2         Naseem Rangwala
PROGRAM_INV3         Sean Colgan
PROGRAM_INV4         Curtis DeWitt
PROGRAM_INV5         Tommy Greathouse
PROGRAM_SCICAT       galactic/interstellar medium
PROGRAM_ABSTRACT_BEG
Hot cores are a fundamental link between two vibrant fields in astrophysics: star formation and planet formation. These hot, dense regions of molecular gas have been shaped by massive protostars, bearing kinematic, structural, and chemical information. They are the brightest probes of the gas in star forming regions that shape planet formation. The Orion hot core, situated in the nearest and best-studied massive star forming region, is an atypical hot core in that it is externally heated. The likeliest candidate that heats the hot core is radio source I, a heavily embedded protostar. Mid-infrared [MIR] spectroscopy has focussed on nearby source IRc2 that illuminates the hot core from behind. MIR spectra towards IRc2 have uncovered kinematic components unique to the mid-infrared that are undetected in longer wavelength surveys. In particular, EXES has detected the H2 S[1] line in emission with velocities matching C2H2, HCN, and 13CCH2 absorption. TEXES spectra contain the H2 S[4] line in emission with a velocity matching the SiO emission lines in the same spectra. Furthermore, TEXES maps of H2 S[4] show the emission peaks off-centre from IRc2, possibly towards radio source I. We request a TEXES map of the H2 S[2] emission towards IRc2. This observation will serve two key purposes. The first is to better constrain the H2 column density and temperature towards IRc2 in order to calculate molecular abundances for the components unique to the MIR. The second purpose will be to follow up on the S[4] maps to confirm if H2 emission does peak towards radio source I. If so, this will be the first infrared detection towards this embedded protostar. These proposed observations will result in new discoveries only visible to the MIR in this well-studied, but kinematically complex, region.
PROGRAM_ABSTRACT_END