Using the ACE spacecraft, NASA researchers are learning about cosmic flares of radiation from space. These rays are most likely recent radiations coming from clusters of stars say, scientists. The finding is helping researchers understand how harmful this radiation will be when astronauts venture into space.
NASA SEEKS TO DECIPHER COSMIC RAYS
The particle found is known as Iron-60. This radioactive isotope comes from supernovas. Once massive stars explode, the isotopes are sent flying into space at cosmic ray speed. The study was led by Robert Binns and a NASA team. The findings have confirmed the theory of a massive star near us becoming a supernova over 2 million years ago. These cosmic rays are made up of atoms that have been separated from electrons. Only the nucleus of the atom is shot through space at near light speed. The nucleus is made of protons and neutrons and has a positive charge. This allows the trajectory to be affected by the magnetic fields throughout space.
THE SOURCE OF THE RAYS
NASA has determined that these cosmic rays had to be from clusters of massive stars. In these clusters, the supernova’s exploded every few million years from each other. The 60Fe radioactive isotope is a direct result of this. The particles found by NASA seem to have come from two different supernovas that exploded 2 million yeas from each other. The finding shows where cosmic rays in our own galaxy game from in the first place. This is important for NASA so they can better understand what areas of space receive more impacts from these cosmic rays.
RADIATION CONCERNS
We have enough radiation scares on planet Earth but it’s nothing compared to what is found in space. Thankfully, Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere block about 99.9 percent of space radiation. That means that astronauts face a major risk when floating around up there. in space. The Mars Curiosity rover revealed that an astronaut would receive about .66 sievert of radiation on the shortest Earth-Mars round trip. This is equal to getting a whole-body CT scan every five or six days. To break it down even further, it’s bad for you. Just a dose of 1 sievert is associated with a 5 percent increase of fatal cancer. Seeing as places like the moon and mars have no shields of their own, the space agency is going to have to do some seriously planning to protect their astronauts in space.
