The interstellar environment of our galaxy

This article reviews the current knowledge and understanding of the interstellar medium of our galaxy. The author first presents each of the three basic constituents-ordinary matter, cosmic rays, and magnetic fields-of the interstellar medium, with emphasis on their physical and chemical properties as inferred from a broad range of observations. The interaction of these interstellar constituents, both with each other and with stars, is then discussed in the framework of the general galactic ecosystem.