We have used the LONGSP spectrometer on the 1.5-m TIRGO telescope to o
btain long slit spectra in the J, H, and K wavelength bands towards tw
o positions along the Orion bar. These data have been supplemented wit
h images made using the ARNICA camera mounted on TIRGO as well as with
an ESO NTT observation carried out by Dr A. Moorwood. We detect a var
iety of transitions of hydrogen, helium, OI, FeII, FeIII, and H-2. Fro
m our molecular hydrogen data, we conclude that densities are moderate
(3 - 6 x 10(4) cm(-3)) in the layer responsible for the molecular hyd
rogen emission and give no evidence for the presence of dense neutral
clumps. We also find that the molecular hydrogen bar is likely to be t
ilted by similar to 10 degrees relative to the line of sight. We discu
ss the relative merits of several models of the structure of the bar a
nd conclude that it may be split into two structures separated by 0.2-
0.3 parsec along the line of sight, It also seems likely to us that in
both structures, density increases along: a line perpendicular to the
ionization front which penetrates into the neutral gas. We have used
the 1.317 mu m OI line to estimate the FUV radiation field incident at
the ionization front and fmd values of 1 - 3 x 10(4) greater than the
average interstellar field. From [FeII] line measurements, we conclud
e that the electron density in the ionized layer associated with the i
onization front is of order 10(4) cm(-3). Finally, our analysis of the
helium and hydrogen recombination lines implies essential coincidence
of the helium and hydrogen Stromgren spheres.