interstellar medium

In astronomy, the interstellar medium (or ISM) is the matter that exists in the space between the star systems in a galaxy. This matter includes gas in ionic, atomic, and molecular form, dust, and cosmic rays. It fills interstellar space and blends smoothly into the surrounding intergalactic space. The energy that occupies the same volume, in the form of electromagnetic radiation, is the interstellar radiation field.

For more information about interstellar medium check the Wikipedia article here

ZME Science posts about interstellar medium

Voyager at the edge of the final frontier. Spacecraft expected to exit solar system earlier than thought

Fri, Jun 22, 2012

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It’s remarkably impressive how a spacecraft built and launched in the late 70′s is not only still functional, but well on its way of becoming the first man-made object to leave our solar system. After 35 years, new data shows that this plucky probe may soon cross the undulating boundary between the edge of our solar [...]

Our solar system seems to be inside a “bubble” of interstellar medium.

Tue, Apr 5, 2011

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Our solar system appears to exist inside a “bubble”, inside a network of cavities inside the interstellar medium, which was probably created by massive star explosions millions billions of years ago. Interstellar medium (ISM) is a term coined for the matter that exists in galaxies, between solar systems. This matter includes gas in ionic, atomic, [...]

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