We present a survey of molecular gas in theJ = 1 → 0 transition of¹²CO towards the IRAS Vela Shell. The shell, previously identified from IRAS maps, is a ring-like structure seen in the region of the Gum Nebula. We confirm the presence of molecular gas associated with some of the infrared point sources seen along the shell. We have studied the morphology and kinematics of the gas and conclude that the shell is expanding at the rate of ~ 13 km s^-1 from a common center. We go on to include in this study the Southern Dark Clouds seen in the region. The distribution and motion of these objects firmly identify them as being part of the shell of molecular gas. Estimates of the mass of gas involved in this expansion reveal that the shell is a massive object comparable to a GMC. From the expansion and various other signatures like the presence of bright-rimmed clouds with head-tail morphology, clumpy distribution of the gas etc., we conjecture that the molecular gas we have detected is the remnant of a GMC in the process of being disrupted and swept outwards through the influence of a central OB association, itself born of the parent cloud.

This investigation is aimed at clarifying the nature of the interstellar gas seen in absorption against bright O and B stars. Towards this end we have obtained for the first time HI absorption spectra towards radio sources very close to the lines of sight towards twenty five bright stars previously studied. In this paper we describe the selection criteria, the details regarding our observations, and finally present the absorption spectra. In the accompanying paper we analyse the results and draw conclusions.

In the preceding paper (Paper I), we presented HI absorption spectra towards radio sources very close to the lines of sight towards twenty five bright stars against which optical absorption spectra had been obtained earlier, In this paper we analyse the results and draw some conclusions.

To summarize briefly, in most cases we found HI absorption at velocities corresponding to the optical absorption features provided one restricted oneself to velocities ≲10 kms-1. At higher velocities we did not detect any HI absorption down to an optical depth limit of 0.1 (except in four cases which we attribute to gas in systematic motion rather than clouds in random motion). After discussing various scenarios, we suggest that this trend should perhaps be understood in terms of the high velocity interstellar clouds being accelerated, heated and ablated by expanding supernova remnants.