On the nearest molecular clouds. II - MBM 12 and 16

The paper presents echelle spectra recorded at the D lines of Na I for three stars projected on the high-latitude molecular cloud MBM 16 at l = 172 deg, b = -38 deg. The A stars HD 21142 at about 95 pc and HD 21134 at about 240 pc show strong D-line absorption at the same velocities as the CO emission observed at these positions. The distance to MBM 16 therefore is in the range of 60 to 95 pc. MBM 16 is only 11 deg away from MBM 12, previously placed by the same method at distance of about 65 pc. Consideration is given to the relationship between clouds 12 and 16 and the local hot low-density interstellar gas.