Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: kristian on 02/02/2009 18:30:02

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: kristian on 02/02/2009 18:30:02

kristian asked the Naked Scientists:
   
if the earth's atmosphere protects us from much of the harmful radiation, what protected the astronauts who travelled to the moon?

What do you think?

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: lyner on 02/02/2009 18:38:18

If you care to trawl through this almost endless thread

]http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=232.0[url] (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=232.0[url)[/url]

then you will find a few good (and a few barmy) comments about the problem.
My view is that, yes, they will suffer some radiation effects but, as photographic film has been shown to survive many missions, both manned and unmanned, it is not (or has not been) a particularly worrisome factor in space travel.
Dieing in a catastrophic accident and damage to their skeletons from weightlessness are far bigger worries. Not surprisingly, it doesn't seem to put them off.
 [:-\]

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 02/02/2009 20:27:14

Were they on the side of the moon facing the sun or not?

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: LeeE on 02/02/2009 22:23:32

The moon missions were on the sunlit side, so they could see what they were doing.  I think one or two may have been near the terminator towards the start/end of the mission.

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 03/02/2009 00:08:04

If they even landed in the first place that is...

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: lyner on 03/02/2009 08:20:13

Don't start!!!

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 03/02/2009 08:35:01

Ha, I knew you would say that!

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: lyner on 03/02/2009 11:46:53

Look. We've managed to confine the loony bits into one one thread. Let's keep it that way.
But about that flag . . . . . . . ?

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: LeeE on 03/02/2009 13:51:10

Quote from: LeeE on 02/02/2009 22:23:32

The moon missions were on the sunlit side, so they could see what they were doing.  I think one or two may have been near the terminator towards the start/end of the mission.

Just to clarify; the missions were all to near-side, so that we could communicate without need for a relay, and during periods when the landing site and exploration area would be in sunlight.  Landing in darkness was a no-no but landing close to the dawn terminator would give the most time in sunlight.

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 03/02/2009 21:24:20

Quote from: sophiecentaur on 03/02/2009 11:46:53

Look. We've managed to confine the loony bits into one one thread. Let's keep it that way.
But about that flag . . . . . . . ?

Hmmm...and what about that cable poking outta the ground. . . . .? [:D][:D]

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: lyner on 03/02/2009 21:56:46

Bad boy, naughty boy- in your bed!!!

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 03/02/2009 22:12:15

They must have been boyed up when they landed on the moon.

Title: How do astronauts cope with radiation?
Post by: LeeE on 04/02/2009 13:37:49

I believe they found it very enlightening, by about 85%.