Spatial correlations of Si III detections in the local interstellar medium

TL;DR

This paper investigates the spatial distribution of Si III detections in the local interstellar medium, revealing a cone-shaped pattern aligned with the LIC's velocity vector, suggesting heliosphere-LIC interaction.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the spatial correlations of Si III detections and proposes a link between detection patterns and heliosphere-LIC interactions.

Findings

Most Si III detections form a cone aligned with LIC velocity vector.

The pattern suggests the heliosphere interacts with the LIC frontier.

New sightlines support the spatial correlation analysis.

Abstract

Since the developpment of astronephography, we know that the Sun is about to exit the Local Interstellar Cloud (LIC). To date, because of its rare absorption signatures and the paucity of suitable neighbour targets, the LIC interface has proved to be elusive to extensive investigations. Comparing the spatial distribution of Si III detections found in the litterature along with 3 new sigtlines, I show that most detections seem to arise from a cone whose axis is parallel to the LIC heliocentric velocity vector. I interpret this result as an evidence that the heliosphere is actually interacting with the LIC frontier.