Is the Sun Embedded in a Typical Interstellar Cloud?

TL;DR

This paper examines the local interstellar environment around the Sun, finding it typical of warm diffuse clouds, influenced by the S1 superbubble shell, and situated within the Orion spur, with implications for local radiation and magnetic fields.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the physical and kinematic properties of local interstellar material, linking them to larger galactic structures and phenomena.

Findings

Interstellar material near the Sun is typical of warm diffuse clouds.

The local magnetic field and cloud kinematics are explained by the S1 superbubble shell.

The local radiation field is harder than expected, likely due to low cloud opacity.

Abstract

The physical properties and kinematics of the partially ionized interstellar material near the Sun are typical of warm diffuse clouds in the solar vicinity. The interstellar magnetic field at the heliosphere 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. The spatial context of the Local Bubble is consistent with our location in the Orion spur.