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Series

2010

University of New Hampshire

Galactic cosmic rays

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Physics

Gcr Access To The Moon As Measured By The Crater Instrument On Lro, A. W. Case, Harlan E. Spence, M. J. Golightly, J. C. Kasper, J. B. Blake, J. E. Mazur, L. W. Townsend, C. J. Zeitlin Oct 2010

Gcr Access To The Moon As Measured By The Crater Instrument On Lro, A. W. Case, Harlan E. Spence, M. J. Golightly, J. C. Kasper, J. B. Blake, J. E. Mazur, L. W. Townsend, C. J. Zeitlin

Physics & Astronomy

[1] Recent modeling efforts have yielded varying and conflicting results regarding the possibility that Earth's magnetosphere is able to shield energetic particles of >10 MeV at lunar distances. This population of particles consists of galactic cosmic rays as well as energetic particles that are accelerated by solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER) onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is in orbit about the Moon and is thus able to directly test these modeling results. Over the course of a month, CRaTER samples the upstream solar wind as well as various regions …


Galactic Cosmic Ray Radiation Hazard In The Unusual Extended Solar Minimum Between Solar Cycles 23 And 24, Nathan A. Schwadron, A. J. Boyd, K. Kozarev, M. Golightly, Harlan E. Spence, L. W. Townsend, M. Owens May 2010

Galactic Cosmic Ray Radiation Hazard In The Unusual Extended Solar Minimum Between Solar Cycles 23 And 24, Nathan A. Schwadron, A. J. Boyd, K. Kozarev, M. Golightly, Harlan E. Spence, L. W. Townsend, M. Owens

Physics & Astronomy

[1] Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) are extremely difficult to shield against and pose one of the most severe long-term hazards for human exploration of space. The recent solar minimum between solar cycles 23 and 24 shows a prolonged period of reduced solar activity and low interplanetary magnetic field strengths. As a result, the modulation of GCRs is very weak, and the fluxes of GCRs are near their highest levels in the last 25 years in the fall of 2009. Here we explore the dose rates of GCRs in the current prolonged solar minimum and make predictions for the Lunar Reconnaissance …