Far Infrared Spectroscopy of the HH 1/2 Outflow

Abstract

The HH 1/2 system has been observed with the two spectrometers on board the Infrared Space Observatory. Diffuse [CII] 158um emission indicate the presence of a Photo-Dissociation Region (PDR) which is only in part due to the external Far-UV irradiation from the nearby Orion Nebula. Additional irradiation must be originated locally and we show that the FUV field produced in the recombination regions behind the shocks traced by the HH objects is sufficient to induce a PDR at the flow cavity walls. The analysis of [OI], [SiII]34.8um and [NeII] 12.8um lines suggests shock velocities v=100-140 km/s with pre-shock densities between 100 and 1000 per cc. H2 pure rotational lines trace a T=600 K gas which is likely to be warmed up in slow, planar, molecular shocks. The coexistence in the areas subtended by the instrumental beamsizes of shocks at different velocities is consistent with the bow-shock morphology of the HH 1 and, to a lesser extent, HH 2 as traced by optical images.