Space agencies announce the possibility of manned flight to the Moon and Mars in the not too distant future, and the media instill fear in the minds of the townsfolk with articles about cosmic rays, magnetic storms and solar wind. Let's try to understand the concepts of nuclear physics and assess the dangers.
Encyclopedic Information
Under the concept of cosmic radiation falls any electromagnetic radiation that is of extraterrestrial origin. These are streams of charged and uncharged particles of various energies that move in outer space and reach the magnetic shell of our planet, and sometimes the surface of the Earth. The human senses do not perceive them. Stars and galaxies serve as sources of cosmic radiation.
Discovery history
The primacy of the discovery of the existence of cosmic rays (radiation is also called so) belongs to the Austrian physicist W. Hess (1883-1964). In 1913 he investigated the electrical conductivity of air. In collaboration with the Americanphysicist Carl David Andersenon (1905-1991), he proved that the electrical conductivity of air arises as a result of exposure to the atmosphere of cosmic ionizing radiation. For their research, both scientists received the Nobel Prize in 1936. Further research in the field of the properties of matter and weak interactions made it possible already in the 50s of the last century to reveal the spectrum of these radiations and the origin of positrons, pions, muons, hyperons and mesons.
Galactic cosmic rays
The energy of the cosmic stream in nuclear physics is measured in electron volts and is equal to 0.00001-100 quintillion. The stream of particles of primary (galactic) cosmic radiation consists of helium and hydrogen nuclei. The flux of radiation is weakened by the magnetosphere of our solar system, the magnetic fields of the Sun and planets. The Earth's atmosphere and its magnetic field protect life on our planet. Once in the atmosphere, the particles experience cascade nuclear transformations, called secondary radiation. Space bodies and radiation from supernova explosions inside the Milky Way galaxy serve as the source of this flow of alpha, beta and gamma particles that reach our planet in the form of a so-called air shower. In the Earth's magnetic field, alpha and beta particles are deflected towards the poles, unlike neutral gamma particles.
Solar cosmic radiation
Similar in nature to the galactic, it occurs in the chromosphere of the Sun and is accompanied by an explosionplasma matter, followed by prominence ejections and magnetic storms. During normal solar activity, the density and energy of this flow are small, and they are balanced by galactic cosmic radiation. During flares, the flux density greatly increases and exceeds the radiation coming from the Galaxy.
There is no danger for the inhabitants of the planet
And it really is. Since the discovery of cosmic radiation, scientists have not ceased to study it. Recent studies confirm that the harmful effects of these streams are absorbed by the planet's atmosphere and the ozone layer. It can cause harm to astronauts and objects that are at an altitude of more than 10 kilometers. It is quite easy to visualize the process of cascading destruction of this dangerous flow of particles in the atmosphere. Imagine that you dropped a Lego tower from a huge staircase. On each step, many pieces will fly off from it. This is how charged particles of cosmic radiation collide with its atoms in the atmosphere and lose their destructive potential.
But what about the astronauts?
Man is present in space within the Earth's magnetic field. Even the International Space Station, although located outside the atmosphere, is affected by the planet's magnetic field. Exceptions are the flights of astronauts to the moon. In addition, the duration of exposure also matters. The longest flight in space lasted a little over a year. Astronaut he alth studies conducted by spaceNASA showed that the higher the dose of space radiation received, the more likely they were to develop cataracts. There is not enough data yet, although it is cosmic radiation that is considered the main danger in interplanetary travel.
Who will fly to Mars?
The US Federal Aviation Administration claims that after a 32-month flight to the red planet, astronauts will receive such a dose of cosmic radiation that will lead to a fatal form of cancer in 10% of men and 17% of women. In addition, the risk of developing cataracts, the likelihood of infertility and genetic abnormalities in offspring increases significantly. Add to this disturbances in the processes of neurogenesis in the hippocampus - the place where neurons are born, and a decrease in long-term memory. In order to reduce this impact, designers still need to invent protective armor for higher-speed spacecraft and new effective neuroprotectors for astronauts.
Particles from outer space break gadgets
Professor from the University of Wadrerbilt (USA) Bharat Bhuva found out that electronic devices can fail under the influence of cosmic radiation. According to his research, subatomic particles of radiation can create interference in the integrated circuits of high-precision electronic devices, which leads to a change in the data in their memory. The following facts are cited as evidence:
- In the city of Schaerbeek (Belgium) in 2013, one of the candidates forParliament won the number of votes significantly higher than possible. This is exactly how the failure in the registry of the device that counted the votes was noticed. After investigation, it was concluded that the cause of the failure was cosmic rays.
- In 2008, the airliner, which was on the route from Australian Perth to Singapore, abruptly went up 210 meters. One third of all passengers and crew were injured. The reason is the failure of the autopilot. In addition, the airline's computers also generated several errors. The investigation ruled out all possible causes of such disruptions in the systems, except for cosmic radiation.
Summing up
Now system administrators and programmers have an explanation for glitches and failures in computer technology. Cosmic radiation is to blame for everything! And if without jokes - let's remember that life on planet Earth in general and our body in particular are very fragile biological systems. Billions of years of biological evolution tested all forms of organic life under the conditions of our planet. We can protect ourselves from a lot, but there are always threats to be feared. And in order to properly protect yourself, you need to know about the threats. Aware means armed. But astronauts will still fly to Mars, maybe not by 2030, but they will fly for sure! After all, we humans will always aim for the stars!
