Space Radiation
While in space, astronauts are in constant exposure to radiation coming from space. This radiation is studied by many researchers because of its availability and ease to study. Through the use of radiation detectors like the Charged Particle Directional Spectrometers researchers are able to tell how strong the radiation is along with where it came from.
By analyzing these radiations researchers were able to separate two kinds of space radiation: one being galactic cosmic ray and the other being solar radiation. |
Galactic cosmic rays are particles that come from outside the solar system and travel at high-speeds (sometimes reaching close to the speed of light). This type of particle comes from remnant of supernovas and is as deadly as gamma rays.
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Solar radiation was also a common type of radiation that was detected by these radiation detectors. Researchers describe solar radiations as bursts of intensive brightness from the sun that releases high energy radiation to the rest of the solar system.
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From analyzing and understanding these types of
radiation scientists were able to improve the structures of space missions to
better protect astronauts from harmful radiation.
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