Computer Science
Scientific paper
Dec 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997hst..prop.7262l&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #7262
Computer Science
Hst Proposal Id #7262 Interstellar Matter
Scientific paper
Recent models of the heliosphere predict that charge exchange processes should produce a region of hot H I just outside the heliopause. This ``hydrogen wall'' was detected serendipitously in GHRS observations of the nearby stars Alpha Cen A and B. In addition to the interstellar H I absorption line seen in the Lyman-Alpha lines of these stars, a second H I absorption component was detected with a temperature and column density consistent with the properties predicted for the solar hydrogen wall. Lyman-Alpha absorption in the hydrogen wall provides us with a new way to observationally study the outer heliosphere, and could provide theorists with important observational constraints for their models. We propose to study the hydrogen wall further using STIS observations of 36 Oph A, a K1 V star only 12 degrees from the direction of the incoming interstellar wind. If the models are correct, the hydrogen wall absorption should be particularly conspicuous for this line of sight, because the temperature and column density of the hydrogen wall should be at their highest in the upwind direction, and because there should be a large velocity separation between the H I absorption lines of the hydrogen wall and the interstellar medium. We also hope to detect interstellar C II 1335, 1336 absorption lines in our planned observations. Detection of these lines would allow us to estimate the interstellar electron density, which is a very important quantity for studies of the heliosphere.
No associations
LandOfFree
Exploring the Outer Heliosphere with STIS does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Exploring the Outer Heliosphere with STIS, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Exploring the Outer Heliosphere with STIS will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-895308