Methods of local interstellar medium investigation

The question of the Sun's motion relative to the local interstellar medium (LISM) is examined. Results from Russian, US, and French satellites and space probes observing scattered solar radiation in hydrogen Lyman-alpha (lambda = 1215.7 angstrom) and helium (lambda = 584 angstrom) lines are presented. Data are briefly discussed on the direct registration inside the Solar System of neutral helium atoms, picked-up helium ions, and fast neutral hydrogen atoms entering from the LISM. The fast neutral hydrogen atoms arise in the region of solar wind-LISM interaction.