The galactic environment of the Sun

Abstract

The interstellar cloud surrounding the solar system regulates the galactic environment of the Sun and constrains the physical characteristics of the interplanetary medium. This paper compares interstellar dust grain properties observed within the solar system with dust properties inferred from observations of the cloud surrounding the solar system. Properties of diffuse clouds in the solar vicinity are discussed to gain insight into the properties of the diffuse cloud complex flowing past the Sun. Evidence is presented for changes in the galactic environment of the Sun within the next 10${}^4$--10${}^6$ years. The combined history of changes in the interstellar environment of the Sun, and solar activity cycles, will be recorded in the variability of the ratio of large- to medium-sized interstellar dust grains deposited onto geologically inert surfaces. Combining data from lunar core samples in the inner and outer solar system will assist in disentangling these two effects.

30 pages, 2 figures, JGR-Space Physics, in press

References in corpus (5)

• The Diffuse Interstellar Clouds toward 23 Orionis
• Modeling the Motion and Distribution of Interstellar Dust inside the Heliosphere
• Consequences of a Change in the Galactic Environment of the Sun
• Small and Very Small Interstellar Grains
• Galactic Environments of the Sun and Cool Stars

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Cosmic Rays and Climate
• Evidence of nearby supernovae affecting life on Earth
• An Unexplained 10 Degree - 40 Degree Shift in the Location of Some Diverse Neutral Atom Data at 1 AU
• Properties of Turbulence in the Very Local Interstellar Clouds
• Connecting the interstellar magnetic field at the heliosphere to the Loop I superbubble
• Mars Express/ASPERA-3/NPI and IMAGE/LENA observations of energetic neutral atoms in Earth and Mars orbit