[tierack]

The stripe is perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field of the galaxy and not in line with the ecliptic plane. The interview I heard here (http://ww.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyI...) suggests that the hydrogen that makes up the stripe is being continuously accumulated, not leftover from old times.

[electromagnetic]

If it's perpendicular to the solar systems trajectory, then it could potentially be an aerodynamics issue not taken into account.

AFAIK the solar system is moving at essentially supersonic speeds through the solar medium, which causes the bowshock, so couldn't this just be an eddy current we've been unable to distinguish either because it's not present in smaller scales, or simply because it's normally small enough to be a statistical anomaly?

The physics of our solar systems action are essentially similar to small body physics, the problem is that they're blown up on scale unimaginable to us. Essentially our comparison of physics is akin to comparing getting up to turn the tv on with a trip to Alpha Centauri and back.

[assemble]

Ummmmm... There is almost no air in space, which causes there to be no sound in space. Therefore, the ability to go 'supersonic' in space is highly overrated, seeing as sound simply doesn't even try. This all leads me to believe there's probably not bowshock either.

[novas0x2a]

You're right that there isn't much air in space, but bowshock isn't specific to "air". There most definitely is bowshock in space: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_shock

[assemble]

The person mentioned supersonic, so I figured that's what the bow wave was referring to. Doesn't help that I work in aircraft and haven't been keeping up on my space knowledge lately ;) (And I don't work on cool military supersonic things, so my supersonic is rusty too...)

I still maintain you can't do do supersonic things in space. The would imply sound moves in space.