ar X iv : a st ro - p h / 07 02 59 6 v 1 2 2 Fe b 20 07 The Local Bubble and Interstellar Material Near the Sun

The properties of interstellar matter (ISM) at the Sun are regulated by our location with respect to the Local Bubble (LB) void in the ISM. The LB is bounded by associations of massive stars and fossil supernovae that have disrupted natal ISM and driven intermediate velocity ISM into the LB interior void. The Sun is located in such a driven ISM parcel, which is low density (< 10 g cm). The Local Fluff has a bulk velocity of ∼ 19 km s in the LSR, and an upwind direction at the center of the gas and dust ring formed by the Loop I supernova remnant interaction with the LB. Radiative transfer models give the properties of the Local Interstellar Cloud, LIC, at the heliosphere. The mystery of missing pressure is solved when the ram pressure of the LIC is included in the total LIC pressure. In this case, and if magnetic thermal and cosmic ray pressures are similar in the LIC, the LIC appears to be in pressure equilibrium with the plasma in the local hot bubble.