High Resolution Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy of Star and Planet Forming Regions with TEXES

Abstract

TEXES is a medium to high resolution mid-infrared spectrograph, used on the NASA IRTF. We have used it to measure R ≈ 80,000 spectra of molecular absorption and emission toward several embedded young stars. Here, we concentrate on observations of C₂H₂, HCN, SiO, and H₂ toward the KL region in Orion, with some discussion of molecules observed toward NGC 7538 IRS1. High spectral, and in some cases spatial, resolution is found to be necessary to detect and to understand the observed molecular lines.