The Watchers by Julie Celestial on August 12, 2020
Cosmic rays increase remarkably as solar activity shows persistent decline, resembles Dalton minimum of 1790 - 1830
Recent solar conditions indicate a persistent decline in solar activityâ€â€â€possibly similar to the past solar grand minima, scientists reporting in AGU's Space Weather write. During such periods of low solar activity, the fluxes of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) increase remarkably, presenting a hazard for longâ€term crewed space missions and affecting Earth's climate system. The current situation resembles the Dalton minimum of 1790 †1830 or the Gleissberg minimum of 1890 †1920.
"During the next solar cycle, we could see cosmic ray dose rates increase by as much as 75 percent," said lead author Fatemeh Rahmanifard of the University of New Hampshire’s Space Science Center.
This means that the number of time astronauts can safely work in interplanetary space will be limited as GCRs present a hazard for space missions.
Cosmic rays originate from deep space; energetic particles launched in all directions by supernova explosions and other violent space events. These rays blaze at the speed of light and have been blamed for problems in satellites, electronics, and other machinery.
No matter how much a spacecraft is shielded, it cannot stop the most energetic particles. This leaves astronauts exposed to danger whenever they leave the Earth-Moon system.
"Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere shields the planet from 99.9 percent of the radiation from space. However, for people outside the protection of Earth's magnetic field, space radiation becomes a serious hazard," wrote Elizabeth Howell of Space.com.
More:
https://watchers.news/2020/08/12/cosmic-rays-increase-remarkably-as-solar-activity-shows-persistent-decline-resembles-dalton-minimum-of-1790-1830/
