Astrophysics (Index)About

Local Interstellar Cloud

(LIC, Local Fluff)
(local ISM region with slightly higher density of hydrogen)

The Local Interstellar Cloud (LIC, aka Local Fluff) is a region of about 30 light-years across, which the solar system is passing through, that is slightly more dense than the Local Bubble in which it sits. Both have high temperatures (kinetic energy of their particles), but very low density, limiting the effects of the high temperatures. Their characteristics are a subject of research, the following being example cited values:

density temperature radius
Local Interstellar Cloud 0.3 atoms/cc 7,000 K 15 ly
Local Bubble 0.05 atoms/cc 1,000,000 K 150 ly

Given the Sun's position and velocity within the cloud, its trip through it will total on the order of 100,000 years.


(local,ISM)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Interstellar_Cloud
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Bubble
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130924.html

Referenced by page:
Local Bubble

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