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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: What is the gamma and cosmic radiation flux/watts per square meter on the moon?
« on: 05/01/2021 23:40:57 »
Current estimates of human tissue dose are about 60 microsievert/hour at the moon's surface.
Assuming most of this is beta and gamma radiation, that is pretty close to 60 microgray/hour of prospective absorbed dose, where 1 gray = 1 joule per kilogram.
Cosmic gamma radiation is very energetic so you will need something like 5 cm of lead to absorb 90% of the incoming flux. So a kilogram will occupy an area of around 20 cm2 and will deliver about one sixtieth of a microwatt, assuming 100% conversion efficiency, or a bit less than 10 microwatt for a 55 tonne (1 square meter) collector.
I think you would do better to collect the visible and infrared light from the sun, which is several times the intensity at the earth's surface (and more reliable due to the absence of clouds).
Assuming most of this is beta and gamma radiation, that is pretty close to 60 microgray/hour of prospective absorbed dose, where 1 gray = 1 joule per kilogram.
Cosmic gamma radiation is very energetic so you will need something like 5 cm of lead to absorb 90% of the incoming flux. So a kilogram will occupy an area of around 20 cm2 and will deliver about one sixtieth of a microwatt, assuming 100% conversion efficiency, or a bit less than 10 microwatt for a 55 tonne (1 square meter) collector.
I think you would do better to collect the visible and infrared light from the sun, which is several times the intensity at the earth's surface (and more reliable due to the absence of clouds).
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