atprm
01-08-2009, 10:01 AM
the title of this thread is non-scientific explanation of what we can expect soon --
But here is the more scientific explanation:
~*~
Astronauts threatened by cosmic rays as sun becomes less active
Astronauts returning to the moon could be threatened by cosmic rays as a result of the sun becoming less active, scientists have said.
The sun's ability to shield the solar system from harmful radiation could falter in the early 2020s, research from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology claimed.
At about the same time, the American space agency Nasa plans to send astronauts back to the moon.
The sun has been relatively active for around 80 years. Scientists have now calculated that the active spell's total lifetime is likely to be between 95 and 116 years.
They suspect it will probably finish at the shorter end of this range.
Cosmic rays from deep in space are to some extent prevented from entering the solar system by the solar wind, a gale of atomic particles blasted out from the sun.
The sun produces more solar wind when it is highly active.
Fluctuating levels of rare isotopes such as beryllium-10 in Greenland ice cores provide evidence of the effect of the sun's active and inactive phases, according to Jose Abreu from the Swiss Institute in Duebendorf.
Isotopes are atomic mutations - different versions of a particular element. Certain isotopes are formed when cosmic rays break down the nuclei of oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the Earth's atmosphere.
Mr Abreu's team found that production of these isotopes peaks when the sun is inactive and more cosmic rays hit the Earth.
A report in New Scientist magazine said in a new inactive phase, 'those most likely to be affected would be astronauts'.
It added: 'Beyond the Earth's protective magnetic field, their exposure to the increased cosmic rays let into the solar system due to a weaker solar wind could cause cancer and fertility loss.'
However, astronauts would benefit from a reduced number of solar flares, which also produce dangerous radiation, said the magazine.
But here is the more scientific explanation:
~*~
Astronauts threatened by cosmic rays as sun becomes less active
Astronauts returning to the moon could be threatened by cosmic rays as a result of the sun becoming less active, scientists have said.
The sun's ability to shield the solar system from harmful radiation could falter in the early 2020s, research from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology claimed.
At about the same time, the American space agency Nasa plans to send astronauts back to the moon.
The sun has been relatively active for around 80 years. Scientists have now calculated that the active spell's total lifetime is likely to be between 95 and 116 years.
They suspect it will probably finish at the shorter end of this range.
Cosmic rays from deep in space are to some extent prevented from entering the solar system by the solar wind, a gale of atomic particles blasted out from the sun.
The sun produces more solar wind when it is highly active.
Fluctuating levels of rare isotopes such as beryllium-10 in Greenland ice cores provide evidence of the effect of the sun's active and inactive phases, according to Jose Abreu from the Swiss Institute in Duebendorf.
Isotopes are atomic mutations - different versions of a particular element. Certain isotopes are formed when cosmic rays break down the nuclei of oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the Earth's atmosphere.
Mr Abreu's team found that production of these isotopes peaks when the sun is inactive and more cosmic rays hit the Earth.
A report in New Scientist magazine said in a new inactive phase, 'those most likely to be affected would be astronauts'.
It added: 'Beyond the Earth's protective magnetic field, their exposure to the increased cosmic rays let into the solar system due to a weaker solar wind could cause cancer and fertility loss.'
However, astronauts would benefit from a reduced number of solar flares, which also produce dangerous radiation, said the magazine.