Low density of neutral hydrogen and helium in the local interstellar medium: Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer photometry of the Lyman continuum of the hot white dwarfs MCT 0501-2858, MCT 0455-2812, HZ 43, and GD 153

1994 ◽  
Vol 421 ◽  
pp. L35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephane Vennes ◽  
Jean Dupuis ◽  
Stuart Bowyer ◽  
Gilles Fontaine ◽  
Alexandria Wiercigroch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
White Dwarfs ◽  
Extreme Ultraviolet ◽  
Neutral Hydrogen ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Local Interstellar Medium ◽  
Lyman Continuum

The HRS GTO program to study the neutral hydrogen column density and D/H ratio in the local interstellar medium

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-94
Author(s):  
J.L. Linsky, ◽  
W.B. Landsman ◽  
B.D. Savage ◽  
S.R. Heap ◽  
A.M. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
Column Density ◽  
Neutral Hydrogen ◽  
Local Interstellar Medium ◽  
Hydrogen Column Density

scholarly journals The Morphology and Physics of the Local Interstellar Medium

1996 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 261-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrick C. Bruhweiler
Keyword(s):  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
Radiation Field ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Low Density ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Local Interstellar Medium ◽  
Density Region ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Extreme Uv ◽  
Local Cloud

We are finally on the threshold of obtaining a coherent morphological and physical picture for the local interstellar medium (LISM), especially the region within 300 pc of the Sun. The EUVE is playing a special role in revealing this picture. This instrument can provide direct measurements of the the radiation field that photoionizes both hydrogen and helium. It also can yield direct measurements of the column densities of hydrogen, but especially He I and He II toward nearby white dwarfs. These observations suggest that the ionization in the Local Cloud, the cloud in which the Sun is embedded, is not in equilibrium, but in a recombination phase. Heuristic calculations imply that the the present ionization is due to the passage of shocks, at times greater than 3 × 106 years ago. The origin of these shocks are probably linked to the supernova which was responsible for the expanding nebular complex of clouds know as the Loop I supernova remnant, of which the Local Cloud is a part, extreme- UV radiation field, that which ionizes both hydrogen and helium in the LISM. Of the ISM within 300 pc, the volume appears to be predominantly filled by hot (106 K) coronal gas. This gas is laced with six largescale shell structures with diameters ~100−150 pc including the long-recognized radio loops, Loop I−IV, as well as the Orion-Eridanus and Gum Nebulae are identified. An idea that has evolved in the literature for over two decades is that the kinematically-linked OB associations representing Gould’s Belt, plus the gas and dust of Lindblad’s Ring, require that previous supernova activity and stellar winds carved out a 400–600 pc diameter cavity some 3 to 6 × 107 yr ago. This activity produced a pre-existing low density region, into which the present young loop structures have expanded. The outer boundaries of the identified expanding loop structures, inside this preexisting cavity, delineate the periphery of the the mis-named “local interstellar bubble.” Thus, this picture naturally explains some of the problems often associated with the presence of this low density region exterior to Loop I.

scholarly journals Study of the LISM Using Pulsar Scintillation

1997 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 211-214
Author(s):  
N.D.R. Bhat ◽  
Y. Gupta ◽  
A.P. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
Radio Telescope ◽  
Density Fluctuations ◽  
Solar Neighborhood ◽  
Dispersion Measure ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Local Interstellar Medium ◽  
Local Bubble ◽  
Scattering Material ◽  
Scattering Strength

AbstractWe present here the results from an extensive scintillation study of twenty pulsars in the dispersion measure (DM) range 3 – 35 pc cm−3 carried out using the Ooty Radio Telescope, to investigate the distribution of ionized material in the local interstellar medium (LISM). Our analysis reveals several anomalies in the scattering strength, which suggest that the distribution of scattering material in the solar neighborhood is not uniform. Our model suggests the presence of a low density bubble surrounded by a shell of much higher density fluctuations. We are able to put some constraints on geometrical and scattering properties of such a structure, and find it to be morphologically similar to the local bubble known from other studies.

scholarly journals The Interstellar and Circumstellar Environment of White Dwarfs

1997 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
M.A. Barstow ◽  
P.D. Dobbie ◽  
J.B. Holberg
Keyword(s):  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
White Dwarfs ◽  
Column Density ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
Local Distribution ◽  
Local Interstellar Medium ◽  
Weighted Mean ◽  
Ionization Fraction ◽  
Absorbing Material ◽  
Circumstellar Environment

AbstractWe have studied the EUV spectra of 13 DA white dwarfs, observed by the EUVE satellite, paying attention to the possible sources of absorbing material along the lines-of-sight in both the local interstellar medium and in the photospheres of the stars themselves. The range of interstellar column densities seen are consistent with our previous understanding of the local distribution of material. Absorption from interstellar He II is found in the direction of five stars, allowing us to measure directly the He ionization fraction and estimate, indirectly, that of H. The weighted mean ionization fractions along these lines-of-sight are 0.27 ± 0.04 and 0.35 ± 0.1 respectively. Where He II is directly detected, the observed ionization fractions are not correlated with direction or with the volume/column density of material along the line-of-sight. Furthermore, the limits on the amount of He II established in all other directions completely encompass the range of observed values. Indeed, all the data can be consistent with more or less constant He and H ionization fractions throughout the local ISM. However, observation of very hot DA stars, indicating higher He II columns, might contradict this picture if the material is not photospheric or circumstellar.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document