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S. Redfield, J.L. Linsky (JILA, University of Colorado)
The physical structure and morphology of the interstellar medium (ISM) that surrounds our solar system directly effects the heliosphere and the interplanetary environment. Due to its proximity, the local interstellar medium (LISM) is the only interstellar environment that allows for a detailed three-dimensional study of ISM phenomena. High resolution ultraviolet absorption spectra of nearby stars and the intervening interstellar material, observed by the Hubble Space Telescope, provide important information about the chemical abundance, ionization, temperature, kinematics, density, morphology, and turbulent structures of the LISM. The number of useful observations is large enough that we can start analyzing the LISM as a three-dimensional object, as opposed to focusing on individual sightlines. We present the results of high resolution observations of the LISM obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. Our focus will be on the temperature and turbulent velocity structure of the Local Interstellar Cloud (LIC) and other nearby clouds. Understanding the physical characteristics of these structures is necessary if we are to discuss the morphology of the LISM, its evolution, origin, impact on the heliosphere and our solar system, and applicability to galactic and extragalactic ISM environments.
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The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: sredfiel@casa.colorado.edu
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 34, #4
© 2002. The American Astronomical Soceity.