There is a warm tenuous partially ionized cloud (T similar to 10(4) K,
n(HI)similar to 0.1 cm(-3)), n(HII similar to 0.22-0.44 cm(-3)) surro
unding the solar system which regulates the environment of the solar s
ystem, determines the structure of the heliopause region, and feeds ne
utral interstellar gas into the inner solar system. The velocity (V si
milar to -20 km s(-1) from l similar to 335 degrees, b similar to 0 de
grees in the local standard of rest) and enhanced Ca Il and Fe II abun
dances of this cloud suggest an origin as evaporated gas from cloud su
rfaces in the Scorpius-Centaurus Association. Although the soft X-ray
emission attributed to the 'Local Bubble' is enigmatic, optical and ul
traviolet data are consistent with bubble formation caused by star for
mation epochs in the Scorpius-Centaurus Association as regulated by th
e nearby spiral arm configuration. The cloud surrounding the solar sys
tem (the 'local fluff') appears to be the leading region of an expandi
ng interstellar structure (the 'squall line') which contains a magneti
c field causing polarization of the light of nearby stars, and also ab
sorption features in nearby upwind stars. The velocity vectors of the
solar system and local fluff are perpendicular in the local standard o
f rest. Combining this information with the low column densities seen
towards Sirius in the anti-apex direction, and the assumption that the
cloud velocity vector is parallel to the surface normal, suggests tha
t the Sun entered the local fluff within the historical past (less tha
n 10000 years ago) and is skimming the surface of the cloud. Compariso
n of magnesium absorption lines towards Sirius and anomalous cosmic-ra
y data suggest the local fluff is in ionization equilibrium.