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Local Interstellar Cloud
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The Local Interstellar Cloud, also called the Local Fluff, is the interstellar cloud (roughly 30 light years across) that our solar system is currently moving through. The Solar System entered the Local Fluff at some time between the last 44,000 and 150,000 years and is expected to remain within it for between 10,000 and 20,000 years more. The cloud has a temperature of 6000° C, about the same temperature as the surface of the sun. It is very thin, with 0.26 atoms per cubic centimeter; approximately one-fifth that of the galactic interstellar medium and twice that of the gas in the Local Bubble. In comparison, Earth's atmosphere at STP has 2.7 × 1019 molecules per cubic centimeter.
The cloud formed where the Local Bubble and the Loop I Bubble met. The Sun, with a few other local stars, is embedded in the Local Fluff. Notable extra-solar systems include Alpha Centauri, Vega, Arcturus, and Fomalhaut.
- http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/06jan_bubble.htm
- http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/17dec_heliumstream.htm
- http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020210.html
- http://www.solstation.com/x-objects/chimney.htm
- Mark Anderson, "Don't stop till you get to the Fluff", "New Scientist" no. 2585, 6 Jan, 2007, pp. 26-30
Earth · Solar System · Local Interstellar Cloud · Local Bubble · Orion Arm · Milky Way · Local Group · Virgo Supercluster · Observable universe · Universe