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
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
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- 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.