ar X iv : a st ro - p h / 99 02 08 3 v 1 4 F eb 1 99 9 Distances to the high galactic latitude molecular clouds G 192 - 67 and MBM 23 - 24

We report on distance determinations for two high Galactic latitude cloud complexes, G192-67 and MBM 23-24. No distance determination exists in the literature for either cloud. Thirty-four early type stars were observed towards the two clouds, more than half of which have parallaxes measured by the Hipparcos satellite. For the remaining stars we have made spectroscopic distance estimates. The data consist of high resolution echelle spectra centered on the Na I D lines, and were obtained over six nights at the Coudé Feed telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Interstellar absorption lines were detected towards some of the stars, enabling estimates of the distances to the clouds of 109 ± 14 pc for G192-67, and of 139 ± 33 pc for MBM 23-24. We discuss the relationship of these clouds to other ISM features such as the Local Hot Bubble and the local cavity in neutral hydrogen. Subject headings: ISM: clouds — ISM: individual(G192-67, MBM 23-24) — stars: distances Visiting Astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory, National Optical Astronomy Observatories, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.