https://marspedia.org/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=95.9.157.194&feedformat=atomMarspedia - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T22:05:32ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.34.2https://marspedia.org/index.php?title=Radiation&diff=5896Radiation2011-09-27T15:58:13Z<p>95.9.157.194: /* Effect on material */</p>
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<div>Natural '''Radiation''' on [[Mars]] is much higher compared with [[Earth]]. The thin [[atmosphere]] provides only a small shielding effect against harmful [[solar radiation]] and [[cosmic radiation]]. Mars also lacks the [[magnetosphere]] that protects Earth.<br />
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Occasional [[solar flares]] produce particular high doses. Some solar proton events (SPEs) were observed by [[MARIE]] that were not seen by sensors near Earth due to the fact that SPEs are directional. Astronauts on Mars could be warned of SPEs by sensors closer to the Sun and presumably take shelter during these events. This would imply an [[Early warning system (solar radiation)|Early Warning System]] (possibly a network of sensors in orbit around the sun or a single sensor in [[Lagrangian point]] L1) might be needed to ensure all SPEs threatening Mars were detected early enough.<br />
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==Types of Radiation==<br />
Radiation comes in a variety of forms:<ref>http://www.nas.nasa.gov/About/Education/SpaceSettlement/designer/needs.html#SHIELDING</ref><br />
{| border=1<br />
|-<br />
!Name <br />
!Relative Biological<br/> Effectiveness RBE <br />
!Source <br />
|-<br />
|'''[[X-ray|X-Rays]] and [[gamma ray|Gamma Rays]]''' <br />
|1 <br />
|[[Radiation belts]], [[solar radiation]], and bremsstrahlung electrons <br />
|-<br />
|'''[[electron|Electrons]]'''<br/> <br />
1.0 MeV<br/><br />
0.1 MeV <br />
|<br/><br />
1<br/> <br />
1.08 <br />
|Radiation belts <br />
|-<br />
|'''[[proton|Protons]]'''<br/> <br />
100 MeV<br/> <br />
1.5 MeV<br/> <br />
0.1 MeV <br />
|<br/><br />
1-2<br/> <br />
8.5<br/> <br />
10 <br />
|Cosmic rays, inner-radiation belts, and solar [[cosmic rays]] <br />
|-<br />
|'''[[neutron|Neutrons]]'''<br/> <br />
0.05 ev (thermal)<br/> <br />
1.0 MeV<br/> <br />
10 MeV <br />
|<br/><br />
2.8<br/> <br />
10.5<br/> <br />
6.4<br />
|Nuclear interactions in the [[sun]] <br />
|-<br />
|'''[[alpha particles|Alpha Particles]]'''<br/> <br />
5.0 MeV<br/> <br />
1.0 MeV<br/> <br />
Heavy Primaries <br />
|<br/><br />
15<br/> <br />
20<br/> <br />
varies widely <br />
|Cosmic rays <br />
|}<br />
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==Danger==<br />
Exposure to dangerous levels of radiation causes [[radiation sickness]] and cancer. Any exposure to radiation, no matter how slight, poses some risk. Small dose - small risk of cancer. High dose - high risk of cancer.<br />
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Nevertheless, there are defined legal limits for exposure during work for several professional activities, such as for X-ray assistants, airplane personnel, etc.<br />
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Cool! That's a clever way of loiokng at it!<br />
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==Protection==<br />
[[House]]s should be equipped with a shielding, thick enough to reduce the radiation to a level equal to Earth, that is, almost zero. Best protection may be achieved with houses built in natural [[caves]] or set into cliffs or hillsides. <br />
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[[Space suit]]s must be designed with radiation in mind. The suit should provide adequate shielding for the occupant. It may be necessary to design suits with several grades of protection. Suits designed for short-term use can carry lighter shielding which would reduce weight and improve maneuverability. <br />
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During severe radiation events, such as [[solar flare|solar flares]], surface [[settlement|settlements]] may use [[storm shelter|storm shelters]] with heavier than normal shielding.<br />
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==Open issues==<br />
*How much higher is the UV and cosmic radiation?<br />
*What is the required thickness of a [[regolith]] or [[water]] layer upon a house for radiation shielding?<br />
*What are the legal limits for radiation exposure for some professional activities?<br />
*Does regolith emit an own portion of radiation, some kind of secondary radiation due to the long exposure to cosmic and solar radiation?<br />
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==References==<br />
<references/><br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://www.ips.gov.au/ IPS:] [http://www.ips.gov.au/Category/Educational/Space%20Weather/Space%20Weather%20Effects/guide-to-space-radiation.pdf A Guide to Space Radiation]<br />
*[http://www.niauk.org/radiation-and-safety.html Nuclear Industry Association: Radiation, health and nuclear safety]<br />
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[[Category:Hazards]]</div>95.9.157.194