Atomic carbon in Orion

Abstract

Orion Molecular Cloud region investigations have detected interstellar C I 3PI-3P0 emission and provided information concerning relative C I and CO abundances. Attention is given to problems which have arisen concerning the excessive C I abundance observed, by contrast to current chemical models. In addition to considering explanations for that excess which invoke the presence of internal UV, shocks, or high electron abundances, it is noted that the chemical models indicate the significance of time-dependent effects for the cases of cloud lifetime shorter than one million years, or of the periodic rejuvenation of cloud components by a chemical or physical process. On the basis of the lack of C I in the Orion plateau, the present evidence argues against the relevance of an internal shock mechanism.