Space.com: Radiation will test sending humans to Mars
Radiation will be a real test for colonists on Mars. Scientists have named such an obstacle to sending people to the red planet, writes Space.com portal.
It is noted that a recent solar flare caused a powerful magnetic storm on Mars, which, unlike Earth, does not have a magnetic field that protects against charged particles. Scientists analyzed the data obtained from the MAVEN apparatus and the Curiosity rover.
It turned out that the flare inflated and heated the atmosphere of Mars, and also caused an aurora on the planet. In addition, it was found that due to a surge in solar radiation, the radiation dose in the area where the rover was located reached 8100 microgray. As scientists explain, if a person were standing nearby, he would receive radiation equivalent to 30 x-rays of the chest. This was the highest level of radiation on Mars that Curiosity recorded in all 12 years of its work on the planet.
It is also noted that Curiosity cameras captured solar particles entering the Martian atmosphere, and the camera of the Mars Odyssey orbiter was out of order for an hour.
On June 8, heavy particles from the Sun hit the Earth. The impact was caused by a powerful solar flare, close to class X, which occurred around midnight in active region 3697.
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