Abstract

We present a~mode1 of the interstellar medium based on detailed calculations of heating by low-energy cosmic rays. The model contains two thermally stable gas phases that coexist in pressure equilibrium, one at T = 1O~ ° K and one at T <300° K. The hot gas occupies most of interstellar space. Gravitation in the z-direction compresses about 75 per cent of the gas into the cool, dense phase to form clouds. By choosing three parameters (the cosmic-ray ionization rate, the amount by which trace elements are de- pleted in sticking to dust grains, and the magnetic-field strength), we are able to predict six previously unrelated observational parameters to within a factor of 2