High energies and radiation effects

Abstract

In this chapter we characterize the high-energy proton spectra that can penetrate shielding and determine the radiation dose to humans and equipment in space. High-energy spectral breaks or “knees”, seen in all large SEP events, determine the contribution of highly penetrating protons. The streaming limit, discussed earlier, places an upper bound on particle fluences early in events and the radial variation of intensities is important for near-solar and deep-space missions. The streaming limit is a strong function of radial distance from the Sun. We also briefly consider a mission to Mars and radiation-induced chemistry of the upper atmosphere of Earth.