1996A&A...308..428W

We present high-resolution (R∼5km/s) NaI and CaII interstellar absorption line spectra observed toward five B stars in the line of sight to the high-velocity cloud complex Chain A. We have failed to detect the presence of any high-velocity (V←100km/s) interstellar absorption toward these stars. This null detection enables us to place a new lower limit on the distance to the Chain A complex of z≥837±200pc, assuming normal gas-phase abundances of NaI and CaII. If this distance determination is typical for other high-velocity clouds, it poses problems for theories that currently argue these clouds interact with the galactic disk.