Abstract

A review is given of the observations of neutral hydrogen high velocity clouds (|ν| > 80 km s−1) in and near the Galaxy. The positive and negative clouds are seen to have different distributions in the sky, following roughly the velocity pattern of galactic rotation. A characteristic of the majority of the clouds is their distribution in elongated bands or strings. The various theories of origin of HVCs are discussed; the possible role of the tidal interactions between the Magellanic Clouds and the Galaxy is emphasized. Tests are suggested to distinguish between the Oort theory of the infall of intergalactic material and theories which envisage the HVCs as originating in the outermost spiral structure.

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