Show simple item record  

dc.contributor.authorFichtner, Horst
dc.contributor.authorScherer, Klaus
dc.contributor.authorEffenberger, Frederic
dc.contributor.authorZönnchen, Jochen
dc.contributor.authorSchwadron, Nathan
dc.contributor.authorMcComas, David J.
dc.date.accessioned2014-12-08T21:14:41Z
dc.date.available2014
dc.date.available2014-12-08T21:14:41Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.identifier.citationFichtner, H., Scherer, K., Effenberger, F., Zönnchen, J., Schwadron, N., & McComas, D. J. (2014). The IBEX ribbon as a signature of the inhomogeneity of the local interstellar medium. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 561, A74. http://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201322064en
dc.identifier.issn0004-6361
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10289/8924
dc.description.abstractContext. A new hypothesis is offered to explain the so-called ribbon feature appearing in the all-sky flux maps of energetic neutral atoms presently observed with the IBEX spacecraft, namely that the ribbon is a consequence of inhomogeneities in the local interstellar medium. Aims. The study aims at a detailed presentation of this hypothesis and its implications for the interpretation of ENA measurements with IBEX. Methods. Theoretical considerations regarding three different topics, namely IBEX measurements related to high-energy neutral atoms, Lyman-α observations (made with the Voyager 1 spacecraft) related to low-energy neutral atoms, and astronomical data related to the structure of the interstellar medium, are critically discussed in order to corroborate the hypothesis. Results. It is found that inhomogeneities in the local interstellar medium can explain not only the IBEX ribbon and outer heliospheric Lyman-α observations, but can also account for the interstellar Lyman-α absorption that could only with difficulty be fully attributed to the hydrogen wall in the outer heliosheath if the heliospheric bow shock would indeed be absent. Conclusions. The IBEX observations of the ribbon provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the nature of the interstellar medium surrounding the heliosphere.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.languageen
dc.language.isoen
dc.rightsThis article is published in the Astronomy & Astrophysics. © 2014 ESO.
dc.subjectSun: heliosphere
dc.subjectISM: atoms
dc.subjectISM: structure
dc.subjectlocal insterstellar matter
dc.titleThe IBEX ribbon as a signature of the inhomogeneity of the local interstellar medium
dc.typeJournal Article
dc.identifier.doi10.1051/0004-6361/201322064
dc.relation.isPartOfAstronomy & Astrophysics
pubs.begin-pageA74en_NZ
pubs.elements-id85315
pubs.end-pageA74en_NZ
pubs.volume561
dc.identifier.eissn1432-0746
uow.identifier.article-noA74en_NZ


Files in this item

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record