Particle Radiation Sources, Propagation and Interactions in Deep Space, at Earth, the Moon, Mars, and Beyond: Examples of Radiation Interactions and Effects
Downs, Cooper; Riley, Pete; Kozarev, Kamen; Schwadron, Nathan A.; Linker, Jon A.; Török, Tibor; Desai, Mihir; Joyce, Colin J.; Spence, Harlan E.; Zeitlin, Cary; Cooper, John F.; Gorby, Matt; Jordan, Andrew P.; Mikíc, Zoran; Townsend, Lawrence W.; Wilson, Jody K.
United States
Abstract
Particle radiation has significant effects for astronauts, satellites and planetary bodies throughout the Solar System. Acute space radiation hazards pose risks to human and robotic exploration. This radiation also naturally weathers the exposed surface regolith of the Moon, the two moons of Mars, and other airless bodies, and contributes to chemical evolution of planetary atmospheres at Earth, Mars, Venus, Titan, and Pluto. We provide a select review of recent areas of research covering the origin of SEPs from coronal mass ejections low in the corona, propagation of events through the solar system during the anomalously weak solar cycle 24 and important examples of radiation interactions for Earth, other planets and airless bodies such as the Moon.