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RE: Re: " we're evolved for radiation " - geophysicist on pole reversals
The shielding that the earth gets from cosmogenic radiation is actually
from solar radiation itself. During the period of solar maximum activity
the cosmic radiation levels will go down and go up during solar
minimum. Thus the farther out you get in the solar system the greater the
level of cosmic radiation, which is why it is difficult to shield outer
solar system exploration craft.
Granted, this was a very simplistic explanation but there is a good deal of
information out there if you are interested. Try looking up papers but
John Wilson of NASA Langley Research Center or try finding "NASA Conference
Publication 3360, Shielding strategies for Human Space Exploration". I
have no idea if it is available on line.
At 11:11 PM 11/4/02, Jacobus, John (NIH/OD/ORS) wrote:
>Jim,
>The magnetic fields shield the earth for the electron and protrons that are
>ejected from the sun. However, they do not protect us from the high energy
>cosmic radiation that penetrates into the atmosphere. (It is one of those
>physics things.) What plain physics fact were you talking about?
>
>When I get a chance, I will crack open my old file of cosmic radiation
>studies that I started to collect 10 years ago.
>
>-- John
>John Jacobus, MS
>Certified Health Physicist
>3050 Traymore Lane
>Bowie, MD 20715-2024
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Muckerheide
>Sent: 11/4/2002 8:46:41 PM
>To: Jacobus, John (NIH/OD/ORS); Jaroslav Franta; radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu
>Subject: Re: " we're evolved for radiation " - geophysicist on pole revers
>als
>
>on 11/4/02 1:56 PM, Jacobus, John (NIH/OD/ORS) at jacobusj@ors.od.nih.gov
>wrote:
>
> > Jaro,
> > My comments are based on my disbelief that the magnetic field of the earth
> > has any influence of the radiation we receive from space,
>
>How do you "disbelieve" a plain physics fact!? (It's not even biology!)
>
>Regards, Jim
>
> >whether it is
> > ionizing or UV. I was wonder why the comment was made "we're evolved for
> > radiation" in the context of the article.
> > By the way, I believe that Mars lacks a magnetic field. Of course, we do
> > not know if life exist there, so maybe a magnetic field is necessary.
>. . .
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Kim Merritt, RRPT
Radiation/Laser Safety Officer
NASA Langley Research Center
Hampton, VA
(757)864-3210
<mailto:k.merritt@larc.nasa.gov>
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