Space agencies have announced the possibility of a manned flight to the moon and Mars already in the very near future, and the media inspire fear in the minds of ordinary people with articles on cosmic radiation, magnetic storms and the solar wind. Let's try to understand the concepts of nuclear physics and assess the dangers.
Encyclopedic information
The concept of cosmic radiation includes any electromagnetic radiation that has an extraterrestrial origin. These are flows 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 feel them. The sources of cosmic radiation are stars and galaxies.
Discovery story
The primacy of the discovery of the existence of cosmic rays (radiation is also called) belongs to the Austrian physicist W. Hess (1883-1964). In 1913, he investigated the electrical conductivity of air. In collaboration with the American physicist Carl David Andersenon (1905-1991), he proved that the electrical conductivity of air arises as a result of the action of cosmic ionizing radiation on the atmosphere. For their research, both scientists in 1936 received the Nobel Prize. 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 radiation
The energy of the cosmic flow in nuclear physics is measured in electron volts and is equal to 0.00001-100 quintillion. The stream of particles of the primary (galactic) cosmic radiation consists of helium and hydrogen nuclei. The flux of radiation weaken the magnetosphere of our solar system, the magnetic fields of the sun and planets. The atmosphere of the Earth and its magnetic field protects life on our planet. Once in the atmosphere, the particles experience cascading nuclear transformations called secondary radiation. Cosmic bodies and radiation from supernova explosions inside the Milky Way galaxy are the source of this stream of alpha, beta and gamma particles, which reach our planet in the form of so-called atmospheric rain. In the Earth's magnetic field, alpha and beta particles deviate toward the poles, in contrast to neutral gamma particles.
Solar cosmic radiation
Close in nature to the galactic one, it appears in the chromosphere of the Sun and is accompanied by an explosion of plasma matter, followed by emissions of prominences and magnetic storms. In ordinary solar activity, the density and energy of this stream are small, and they are balanced by galactic cosmic radiation. During flares, the flux density increases significantly and exceeds the radiation coming from the galaxy.
There is no danger for the inhabitants of the planet
And indeed it is. Since the discovery of cosmic radiation, scientists have not ceased to study it. Recent studies confirm that the harmful effects of these flows are absorbed by the planet’s atmosphere and the ozone layer. It can cause harm to astronauts and objects that are located at an altitude of more than 10 kilometers. It is rather easy to visualize the process of cascade destruction of this dangerous stream of particles in the atmosphere. Imagine that from a huge staircase you dropped a tower from the Lego constructor. At each step, many pieces will fly away 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 magnetic field of the planet. Exceptions are astronaut flights to the moon. In addition, the duration of exposure also matters. The longest flight in space lasted a little over a year. NASA's astronaut health studies have shown that the higher the dose of received cosmic radiation, the more likely they are to develop cataracts. Data is still not enough, although it is cosmic radiation that is considered the main danger in interplanetary travel.
Who will fly to Mars?
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration claims that after a 32-month flight to the red planet, astronauts will receive a dose of cosmic radiation that will lead to deadly cancer in 10% of men and 17% of women. In addition, the risk of developing cataracts, the likelihood of infertility and genetic abnormalities in the offspring are significantly increased. Add to this the 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 the level of this effect, designers still need to invent protective armor for higher-speed spacecraft and new effective neuroprotectors for astronauts.
Particles from space break gadgets
A professor from the University of Wadrerbilt (USA) Bharat Bhuwa found out that electronic devices can fail due to cosmic radiation. According to his research, subatomic radiation particles can interfere with integrated circuits of high-precision electronic devices, which leads to a change in the data in their memory. The following facts are given in evidence:
- In the city of Schaerbeek (Belgium) in 2013, one of the candidates for parliament gained a number of votes significantly exceeding the possible. That is exactly how a failure was noticed in the registry of the device that counted the votes. After the investigation, it was concluded that the cause of the failure in cosmic rays.
- In 2008, the airliner, which was on the route from Australian Perth to Singapore, sharply went up 210 meters. Injured received a third of all passengers and crew. The reason is autopilot failure. In addition, airline computers also produced several errors. The investigation ruled out all possible causes of such disturbances in the operation of systems, except for cosmic radiation.
Summarizing
Now system administrators and programmers have an explanation of glitches and failures in the operation of 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 have tested the strength of all forms of organic life in our planet. We can protect ourselves from so many things, but there are always threats that are worth fearing. And in order to defend properly, you need to know about threats. Aware - means armed. And astronauts will still fly to Mars, maybe not by 2030, but they will fly for sure! After all, we humans will always strive for the stars!