Radiation environment

Cosmic Rays

High-energy charged particles that stream through space near the speed of light. They come from the Sun (solar energetic particles) and from beyond the Solar System (galactic cosmic rays), and are a primary radiation hazard for astronauts.

Environment & effects

Affects:Mars The Moon

Knowledge connections

AffectsMars
AffectsThe Moon
ContainsGalactic Cosmic Rays (GCR)
ContainsSolar Energetic Particles (SEP)
Associated withSpace radiation exposure
Associated withAntimatter
Associated withLength Contraction
Associated withThe GZK Limit

Sources

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

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