Diffuse X-ray Background Constraints on Models of the Local Interstellar Medium

[摘要] There is a flux of soft X-rays (0.07-0.284 keV) of diffuse origin observable over the entire sky. As X-rays of this energy are strongly absorbed by the interstellar medium (ISM), one optical depth is 1019-1020H cm-2, they provide a unique probe of neutral material in the solar vicinity. However, to be an effective probe requires that the distribution of emission be well understood, a requirement that is currently unfulfilled (although progress is being made), with unclear fractions originating in the Galactic halo, Local Hot Bubble, heliosphere, and Earth's magnetosheath. The various available data, their consistency (or lack thereof), and their implications for understanding the very local ISM are briefly discussed.

[发布机构] NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt; MD; 20771, United States^1

[效力级别] 天文学 [学科分类] 天文学(综合)

[关键词] Distribution of emissions;Galactic halo;Heliospheres;Interstellar mediums;Local interstellar medium;Magnetosheaths;Optical depth;X-ray background