Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Is the Sun Embedded in a Typical Interstellar Cloud?

  • Chapter
From the Outer Heliosphere to the Local Bubble

Part of the book series: Space Sciences Series of ISSI ((SSSI,volume 31))

  • 537 Accesses

Abstract

Interstellar material around the Sun is typical for our neighborhood of the Galaxy. The physical properties and kinematics of the partially ionized interstellar material (ISM) near the Sun are typical of warm diffuse clouds in the solar vicinity. The direction of the interstellar magnetic field at the heliosphere, the polarization of light from nearby stars, and the kinematics of nearby clouds are naturally explained in terms of the S1 superbubble shell. The interstellar radiation field at the Sun appears to be harder than the field ionizing ambient diffuse gas, which may be a consequence of the low opacity of the tiny cloud surrounding the heliosphere.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • T.F. Adams, P.C. Frisch, Astrophys. J. 212, 300–308 (1977)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • J.M. Ajello, A.I. Stewart, G.E. Thomas, A. Graps, Astrophys. J. 317, 964–986 (1987)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • C.S. Bowyer, G.B. Field, J.F. Mack, Nature 217, 32 (1968)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • M. Bzowski, Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Bzowski, E. Moebius, S. Tarnopolski, V. Izmodenov, G. Gloeckler, Density of neutral interstellar hydrogen at the termination shock from Ulysses pickup ion observations. ArXiv e-prints, 710 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • K. Cheng, F.C. Bruhweiler, Astrophys. J. 364, 573–581 (1990)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • R. Crutcher, C. Heiles, T. Troland, Lect. Notes Phys. Berlin Springer 614, 155–181 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • A.C. Cummings, E.C. Stone, Space Sci. Rev. 130, 389–399 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • A.C. Cummings, E.C. Stone, C.D. Steenberg, Astrophys. J. 578, 194–210 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • A. Czechowski, I. Mann, Astron. Astrophys. 410, 165–173 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • B. Flynn, J. Vallerga, F. Dalaudier, G.R. Gladstone, J. Geophys. Res. 103, 6483 (1998)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • P. Frisch, D.G. York, Interstellar clouds near the Sun, in The Galaxy and the Solar System (University of Arizona Press, Arizona, 1986), pp. 83–100

    Google Scholar 

  • P.C. Frisch, Nature 293, 377–379 (1981)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • P.C. Frisch, Science 265, 1423 (1994)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • P.C. Frisch, Space Sci. Rev. 72, 499–592 (1995)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • P.C. Frisch, Space Sci. Rev. 78, 213–222 (1996)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • P.C. Frisch, Astrophys. J. (2007). arXiv:0707.2970

  • P.C. Frisch, The S1 Shell and interstellar magnetic field and gas near the heliosphere. Astrophys. J. (2008, submitted)

    Google Scholar 

  • P.C. Frisch, J.D. Slavin, Short term variations in the galactic environment of the Sun, in Solar Journey: The Significance of Our Galactic Environment for the Heliosphere and Earth, ed. by P.C. Frisch (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  • P.C. Frisch, A. Choi, D.G. York, L.M. Hobbs, Observations of CaII and NaI in the local interstellar medium (2008, in preparation)

    Google Scholar 

  • P.C. Frisch, J.M. Dorschner, J. Geiss, J.M. Greenberg, E. Grün, M. Landgraf, P. Hoppe, A.P. Jones, W. Krätschmer, T.J. Linde, G.E. Morfill, W. Reach, J.D. Slavin, J. Svestka, A.N. Witt, G.P. Zank, Astrophys. J. 525, 492–516 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • P.C. Frisch, L. Grodnicki, D.E. Welty, Astrophys. J. 574, 834–846 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • G. Gloeckler, L. Fisk, Johannes Geiss’ investigations of solar, heliospheric and interstellar matter. “Composition of Matter”, Space Sciences Series of ISSI, publ. Springer, vol. 27 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • P.M. Gondhalekar, A.P. Phillips, R. Wilson, Astron. Astrophys. 85, 272 (1980)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • E. Gruen, M. Landgraf, J. Geophys. Res. 105, 10291–10298 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • L.M. Haffner, R.J. Reynolds, S.L. Tufte, Astrophys. J. 523, 223–233 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • L.M. Haffner, R.J. Reynolds, S.L. Tufte, G.J. Madsen, K.P. Jaehnig, J.W. Percival, Astrophys. J. Suppl. 149, 405–422 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • J.L. Han, Chin. J. Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. 6, 211–217 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C. Heiles, T.H. Troland, Astrophys. J. Suppl. 145, 329–354 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • D.B. Henley, R.L. Shelton, K.D. Kuntz, An XMM-Newton observation of the local bubble using a shadowing filament in the southern galactic hemisphere. ArXiv Astrophysics e-prints (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • V.V. Izmodenov, J. Geiss, R. Lallement, G. Gloeckler, V.B. Baranov, Y.G. Malama, J. Geophys. Res. 104, 4731–4742 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • E.B. Jenkins, W.R. Oegerle, C. Gry, J. Vallerga, K.R. Sembach, R.L. Shelton, R. Ferlet, A. Vidal-Madjar, D.G. York, J.L. Linsky, K.C. Roth, A.K. Dupree, J. Edelstein, Astrophys. J. Lett. 538, L81–L85 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • S.M. Kahn, P. Jakobsen, Astrophys. J. 329, 406–409 (1988)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • D. Koutroumpa, Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Krueger, E. Gruen, Interstellar dust inside and outside the heliosphere. ArXiv e-prints, 802 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Lallement, R. Ferlet, A.M. Lagrange, M. Lemoine, A. Vidal-Madjar, Astron. Astrophys. 304, 461–474 (1995)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • R. Lallement, E. Quémerais, J.L. Bertaux, S. Ferron, D. Koutroumpa, R. Pellinen, Science 307, 1447–1449 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • N. Lehner, E. Jenkins, C. Gry, H. Moos, P. Chayer, S. Lacour, Astrophys. J. 595, 858–879 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • R.A. Leske, Anomalous cosmic ray composition from ACE, in AIP Conf. Proc. 516: 26th International Cosmic Ray Conference, ICRC XXVI, ed. by B.L. Dingus, D.B. Kieda, M.H. Salamon (2000), p. 274

    Google Scholar 

  • T.J. Linde, T.I. Gombosi, P.L. Roe, K.G. Powell, D.L. DeZeeuw, J. Geophys. Res. 103, 1889–1904 (1998)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • J.L. Linsky, B.E. Wood, Astrophys. J. 463, 254–270 (1996)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • P.B. Lucke, Astron. Astrophys. 64, 367–377 (1978)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • E. Möbius, M. Bzowski, S. Chalov, H.-J. Fahr, G. Gloeckler, V. Izmodenov, R. Kallenbach, R. Lallement, D. McMullin, H. Noda, M. Oka, A. Pauluhn, J. Raymond, D. Ruciński, R. Skoug, T. Terasawa, W. Thompson, J. Vallerga, R. von Steiger, M. Witte, Astron. Astrophys. 426, 897–907 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • H.-R. Müller, G.P. Zank, J. Geophys. Res. 7104–7116 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • M. MacLow, R. McCray, Astrophys. J. 324, 776–785 (1988)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • L.A. Marschall, L.M. Hobbs, Astrophys. J. 173, 43–62 (1972)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • M. Opher, Role of the interstellar magnetic field in the flows in the heliosheath. AGU-Spring Meeting, Florida, pages Paper SH24A–08 (2008a)

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Opher, Space Sci. Rev. (2008b, this issue)

    Google Scholar 

  • V. Piirola, Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 30, 213 (1977)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • N.V. Pogorelov, Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)

    Google Scholar 

  • N.V. Pogorelov, G.P. Zank, T. Ogino, Adv. Space Res. 41, 306–317 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • E. Quemerais, Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)

    Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Rand, S.R. Kulkarni, Astrophys. J. 343, 760–772 (1989)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • R. Ratkiewicz, A. Barnes, G.A. Molvik, J.R. Spreiter, S.S. Stahara, M. Vinokur, S. Venkateswaran, Astron. Astrophys. 335, 363–369 (1998)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • R. Ratkiewicz, L. Ben-Jaffel, J. Grygorczuk, What do we know about the orientation of the local interstellar magnetic field? in Numerical Modeling of Space Plasma Flows, vol. 385, ed. by N.V. Pogorelov, E. Audit, G.P. Zank. Astronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series (2008), p. 189

    Google Scholar 

  • S. Redfield, J.L. Linsky, Astrophys. J. 602, 776–802 (2004a)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • S. Redfield, J.L. Linsky, Astrophys. J. 613, 1004–1022 (2004b)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • S. Redfield, J.L. Linsky, Astrophys. J. 673, 283–314 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Reynolds, Adv. Space Res. 34, 27–34 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Reynolds, S.L. Tufte, D.T. Kung, P.R. McCullough, C. Heiles, Astrophys. J. 448, 715–726 (1995)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • P. Routly, Jr., L. Spitzer, Astrophys. J. 115, 227 (1952)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • E. Salerno, F. Bühler, P. Bochsler, H. Busemann, M.L. Bassi, G.N. Zastenker, Y.N. Agafonov, N.A. Eismont, Astrophys. J. 585, 840–849 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • B.D. Savage, K.R. Sembach, Annu. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 34, 279–330 (1996)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • R.L. Shelton, Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Shetty, E.C. Ostriker, Astrophys. J. 647, 997–1017 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • J.P. Simpson, R.H. Rubin, S.W.J. Colgan, E.F. Erickson, M.R. Haas, Astrophys. J. 611, 338–352 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • J.D. Slavin, Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)

    Google Scholar 

  • J.D. Slavin, P.C. Frisch, Astron. Astrophys. (2008, in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • J.D. Slavin, A.P. Jones, A.G.G.M. Tielens, Astrophys. J. 614, 796–806 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • S. Stanimirovic, C. Heiles, The thinnest cold HI clouds in the diffuse interstellar medium? ArXiv Astrophysics e-prints, May 2005

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Stone, Voyager 2. Observations of the solar wind termination shock and heliosheath. AGU-Spring Meeting, Florida, pages Paper SH24A–01 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Tinbergen, Astron. Astrophys. 105, 53–64 (1982)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • J. Vallerga, Astrophys. J. 497, 921–927 (1998)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • C.S. Weller, R.R. Meier, Astrophys. J. 246, 386–393 (1981)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • D.E. Welty, L.M. Hobbs, J.T. Lauroesch, D.C. Morton, L. Spitzer, D.G. York, Astrophys. J. Suppl. 124, 465–501 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • M. Witte, Astron. Astrophys. 426, 835–844 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • M. Wolleben, Astrophys. J. 664, 349–356 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • B.E. Wood, J.L. Linsky, G.P. Zank, Astrophys. J. 537, 304–311 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • B.E. Wood, Space Sci. Rev. (2008, this issue)

    Google Scholar 

  • B.E. Wood, S. Redfield, J.L. Linsky, H.-R. Müller, G.P. Zank, Astrophys. J. Suppl. 159, 118–140 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA

    Priscilla C. Frisch

Authors
  1. Priscilla C. Frisch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Priscilla C. Frisch .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. JILA, University of Colorado and NIST, Boulder, CO, USA

    J. L. Linsky

  2. Department of Aeromechanics and Gas Dynamics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

    V. V. Izmodenov

  3. Space Science Center and Department of Physics, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

    E. Möbius

  4. International Space Science Institute, Bern, Switzerland

    R. von Steiger

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, BV

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Frisch, P.C. (2008). Is the Sun Embedded in a Typical Interstellar Cloud?. In: Linsky, J.L., Izmodenov, V.V., Möbius, E., von Steiger, R. (eds) From the Outer Heliosphere to the Local Bubble. Space Sciences Series of ISSI, vol 31. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0247-4_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation