Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: jamesjacob on 22/08/2006 20:22:26

Title: cosmic ray protection space station
Post by: jamesjacob on 22/08/2006 20:22:26

How do the astronaughts protect themselves while at the space station from cosmic ray bombarment, since they have no atmosphere to shield them?

Title: Re: cosmic ray protection space station
Post by: realmswalker on 22/08/2006 22:51:21

well the space station is actually still within the earths magneto sphere i believe so its protected by that

Title: Re: cosmic ray protection space station
Post by: ukmicky on 23/08/2006 02:34:37

On occasions astronauts are hit which sometimes results in a retinal flash as a cosmic ray travels through the brain but i believe the magnetosphere shields them from most of them but it cant stop them all and the level of its protection is determined by where the astronaut or spacecraft is in relation to the poles.

Michael

Title: Re: cosmic ray protection space station
Post by: realmswalker on 22/08/2006 22:51:21

well the space station is actually still within the earths magneto sphere i believe so its protected by that

Title: Re: cosmic ray protection space station
Post by: ukmicky on 23/08/2006 02:34:37

On occasions astronauts are hit which sometimes results in a retinal flash as a cosmic ray travels through the brain but i believe the magnetosphere shields them from most of them but it cant stop them all and the level of its protection is determined by where the astronaut or spacecraft is in relation to the poles.

Michael

Title: Re: cosmic ray protection space station
Post by: realmswalker on 22/08/2006 22:51:21

well the space station is actually still within the earths magneto sphere i believe so its protected by that

Title: Re: cosmic ray protection space station
Post by: ukmicky on 23/08/2006 02:34:37

On occasions astronauts are hit which sometimes results in a retinal flash as a cosmic ray travels through the brain but i believe the magnetosphere shields them from most of them but it cant stop them all and the level of its protection is determined by where the astronaut or spacecraft is in relation to the poles.

Michael