2002/08/30 by P. C. Frisch, Frisch, P. C., H. Mueller +6
Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Astrophysics (astro-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.astro-ph/0208556
STScI Astrophysics of Life conference; 16 pages; 8 figures; Replacement version has additional co-author
openalex publication_date 2002/08/30 · arxiv created 2002/09/23 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Interstellar material surrounding an extrasolar planetary system interacts with the stellar wind to form the stellar astrosphere, and regulates the properties of the interplanetary medium and cosmic ray fluxes throughout the system. Advanced life and civilization developed on Earth during the time interval when the Sun was immersed in the vacuum of the Local Bubble and the heliosphere was large, and probably devoid of most anomalous and galactic cosmic rays. The Sun entered an outflow of diffuse cloud material from the Sco-Cen Association within the past several thousand years. By analogy with the Sun and solar system, the Galactic environment of an extrasolar planetary system must be a key component in understanding the distribution of systems with stable interplanetary environments, and inner planets which are shielded by stellar winds from interstellar matter (ISM), such as might be expected for stable planetary climates.