Effect of Supernovae on the Local Interstellar Material

TL;DR

This paper reviews how ancient supernovae have shaped the local interstellar environment, influencing the Sun's galactic neighborhood, the properties of the interstellar medium, and the heliosphere, with implications for cosmic ray and isotope records.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of the effects of supernovae on the local interstellar medium and heliosphere, highlighting recent observational and theoretical insights.

Findings

The Sun is at the edge of the Loop I superbubble.

Supernovae contributed to the formation of the Local Bubble.

Nearby supernovae can significantly disrupt the heliosphere.

Abstract

A range of astronomical data indicates that ancient supernovae created the galactic environment of the Sun and sculpted the physical properties of the interstellar medium near the heliosphere. In this paper we review the characteristics of the local interstellar medium that have been affected by supernovae. The kinematics, magnetic field, elemental abundances, and configuration of the nearest interstellar material support the view that the Sun is at the edge of the Loop I superbubble, which has merged into the low density Local Bubble. The energy source for the higher temperature X-ray emitting plasma pervading the Local Bubble is uncertain. Winds from massive stars and nearby supernovae, perhaps from the Sco-Cen Association, may have contributed radioisotopes found in the geologic record and galactic cosmic ray population. Nested supernova shells in the Orion and Sco-Cen regions suggest spatially distinct sites of episodic star formation. The heliosphere properties vary with the pressure of the surrounding interstellar cloud. A nearby supernova would modify this pressure equilibrium and thereby severely disrupt the heliosphere as well as the local interstellar medium.