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The scientific community continues to debate how to colonize Mars with increasing activity. But the problem of cosmic radiation is still not resolved.
The journal Geophysical Research Letters notes that the red planet has no magnetic field and that its dense atmosphere can protect its surface from the “attack” of very high energy particles from space. That is, the human body under such conditions is exposed to cosmic radiation during the journey to the planet and while it is on its surface. Thus, if astronauts are to return safely to Earth after such a trip, their stay on the surface of the planet must be very limited and short.
However, analysis of new data obtained by scientists from the Radiation Assessment Detector installed on the Curiosity rover has shown that there is a way to reduce the impact of cosmic radiation on astronauts on the surface of Mars.
It is reported that the Curiosity probe recorded the lowest radiation level in September 2016 when it stopped near the foot of a steep slope, and when it moved away from that location, the level of radiation returned to its normal level. The researchers explained this change in radiation level to the probe’s proximity to rock, which became a blanket for the device that protected it from devastating radiation.
In order to study this phenomenon in detail, the researchers made a panoramic map of the visible part of the sky above the probe, and found that about 20% of the sky was covered when the probe approached the rock. . This discovery indicates that the heights of the planet are indeed partially protected from cosmic radiation.
But according to them, that does not mean immediately preparing a manned expedition to the Red Planet, and building settlements at the foot of a steep slope. Because there is another radiation which is reflected from the surface of the planet itself and returns to space. Therefore, more studies are needed to understand this problem, Vesti explains. Ro
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