Astronauts and Air Travelers Beware; Space Radiation to Increase in Future

ForexTV NewsDesk   |  September 27 2011 4:07 EDT

ForexTV.com (New York) by Sterling Wong

Bad news for frequent flyers – Your chances of getting exposed to potentially hazardous space radiation will increase in the coming years because of changes in solar activity, according to researchers.
 

The solar activity researchers refer to are deep space cosmic rays and high-energy particles from the sun. These rays and particles not only pose a threat to astronauts but also can impair spacecraft, airplanes and satellites. They also emit radiation that can harm flight crews and passengers.
 

These radiation-emitting galactic cosmic rays are repelled by Earth’s solar magnetic fields, thus limiting the damage caused. However, the grand solar maxmimum, which is the period in which there was high solar magnetic activity, is slowly ebbing, thus weakening the Earth’s defenses. At the same time, solar particle levels are expected to rise, creating a double whammy of increased radiation risk for air travelers and spacefarers.
 

There are steps that air travelers can take to minimize radiation risk, of course. But it will come at a higher ticket price. According to SPACE.com, researcher Michael Lockwood said, “For really frequent, lifelong fliers, it might become wise to be like workers in the radiation industry and have more-frequent and more in-depth health checks.
 

“Also, to reduce exposure for passengers and crew to higher doses during solar events, flights may be diverted to lower latitudes and altitudes, with delay and cost implications — those extra costs will be reflected in ticket prices, of course."

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