The [ITAL]ISO[/ITAL]–SWS 2.4–45.2 Micron Spectrum toward Orion IR[CLC]c[/CLC]2

The complete infrared spectrum from 2.4 to 45.2 μm toward the prototypical massive star-forming region Orion IRc2 is presented, obtained with the Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) on board the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) at a resolving power λ/Δλ ≈ 1300-2500. A wealth of emission and absorption features is found, including H2 vibration-rotation lines, the full set of H2 pure rotational lines (0,0) S(1)-S(17), H recombination lines, ionic fine-structure lines, PAH emission features, and absorption and emission bands by interstellar ices and gas-phase molecules, including CO2, CH4, and SO2. Particularly interesting is the detection of strong emission and absorption lines in the H2O ν2 bending mode at 6.2 μm and the observation of highly excited pure rotational lines of H2O in absorption at 25-45 μm. The origin of these lines in each of the physical components included in the ISO-SWS beam (H II region, PDR, quiescent ridge, shocked low-velocity plateau) is briefly discussed.