<p>As I have discovered afterwards, the described bubble exists and is in fact a known phenomenon. For those, who want to read more, here is a wiki link <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Bubble" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Bubble</a> and the links therein.</p>

<p>Otherwise, it is an underdensity in ISM (not only dust) in the region of Orion Arm (which is a minor spiral arm). The underdensity is up to ten times comparing to normal density in the Milky way, depending on the component of ISM in consideration. The shape of the cavity is complex, typical sizes being of order $100 \textrm{pc}$, but when it comes to practical observations, one should be wary when neglecting dust extinction at distances over $50 \textrm{pc}$.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-13T12:35:50.873Z
2013-11-13T12:35:50.873Z
Alexey Bobrick
<p>I have heard a certain statement, which can be summarized succinctly into "we live in a local bubble", implying that solar system is located in an intestrellar dust underdensity region.</p>

<p>This region is allegedly produced by a supernova explosion, which happened near the Sun in the distant past. The bubble size was claimed to be of order of few tens of parsec, and the fact of its existence allows one to easier deal with dust extinction for nearby stars.</p>

<p>Another claim I have heard about this bubble, is that this concept is obsolete nowadays, for if even if there were a supernova taking place near the Sun, gas diffusion timescales are short enough, so that no vestige would have remained from this past event by now.</p>

<p>I would like to ask you, therefore, to comment on the text above and in particular indicate, whether such an underdensity really exists, and what do we know about it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-12T14:06:23.583Z
Could you please provide a source or two?
astromax
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-12T14:17:34.920Z
I would love to, but unfortunately have heard it in private communication, but I will see what I can find.
Alexey Bobrick
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-12T16:31:03.360Z
If you have been successful in finding an answer on your own, then please self-answer your question in a new answer, not in the question's body. Thanks!
TildalWave
<dust><interstellar-medium><galactic-dynamics>
Do we live in a galactic bubble?
Alexey Bobrick
# Do we live in a galactic bubble?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-11-12)

I have heard a certain statement, which can be summarized succinctly into "we live in a local bubble", implying that solar system is located in an intestrellar dust underdensity region.

This region is allegedly produced by a supernova explosion, which happened near the Sun in the distant past. The bubble size was claimed to be of order of few tens of parsec, and the fact of its existence allows one to easier deal with dust extinction for nearby stars.

Another claim I have heard about this bubble, is that this concept is obsolete nowadays, for if even if there were a supernova taking place near the Sun, gas diffusion timescales are short enough, so that no vestige would have remained from this past event by now.

I would like to ask you, therefore, to comment on the text above and in particular indicate, whether such an underdensity really exists, and what do we know about it.

**Tags:** dust, interstellar-medium, galactic-dynamics

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could you please provide a source or two?  
> **username_0**: I would love to, but unfortunately have heard it in private communication, but I will see what I can find.  
> **username_2**: If you have been successful in finding an answer on your own, then please self-answer your question in a new answer, not in the question's body. Thanks!  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2013-11-13. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

As I have discovered afterwards, the described bubble exists and is in fact a known phenomenon. For those, who want to read more, here is a wiki link <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Bubble> and the links therein.

Otherwise, it is an underdensity in ISM (not only dust) in the region of Orion Arm (which is a minor spiral arm). The underdensity is up to ten times comparing to normal density in the Milky way, depending on the component of ISM in consideration. The shape of the cavity is complex, typical sizes being of order $100 \textrm{pc}$, but when it comes to practical observations, one should be wary when neglecting dust extinction at distances over $50 \textrm{pc}$.


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