Velocity profiles of the 2.1 micron H2 emission line in the Orion molecular cloud

Spectra of the H2 nu = 1-0 S(1) emission line in Orion, observed at various positions with a resolution of 20 km/s, are presented. The intrinsic full width at half-maximum of the line ranges from 18 to 58 km/s over the observed positions. Analysis of the line profiles shows that the emitting gas is probably expanding from a region near the BN and KL infrared sources at velocities typically of 40 km/s but as high as 100 km/s, and that it is associated with the source of the broad lines seen in the spectra of many other molecules. Strong constraints are placed on models of the physical processes responsible for the broad emission lines.