The effects from ionizing radiation exposure are a concern faced by aircrew, high‐altitude pilots, frequent flyers, and commercial space travelers. This chapter describes the physics of atmospheric radiation's primary sources, including galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and solar energetic particles (SEPs), as well as the possibility of a newly identified third source of secondary radiation caused by precipitating radiation belt charged particles. The primary radiation processes of transport through the heliosphere, modulation by the solar wind, and magnetic shielding by the Earth's geomagnetic field are described. The SEP primary radiation differential energy spectrum is described, and radiation belt precipitated charged particles are discussed with information from a large database of atmospheric radiation measurements. The transport of charged particles from all sources through the magnetic shielding from the Earth's geomagnetic field is described and the concept of geomagnetic cutoff rigidity is thoroughly explained. The transport of radiation through the atmosphere from precipitating charged particles below the mesopause is presented from a theoretical perspective, including the interactions of neutrons and charged particles with target species in the atmosphere. Radiation dosimetry is described, including dose quantities and quality factor. Additional discussions are presented with an introduction on radiation effects on avionics, the models capable of reporting the aviation radiation environment, the measurements that have been made of the atmospheric radiation by specific instruments, and introductory remarks on the regulatory activity internationally and in the US related to the effects of radiation faced by aircrew, high‐altitude pilots, frequent flyers, and commercial space travelers.
Space Weather Radiation Effects on High‐Altitude/‐Latitude Aircraft
2021-03-19
32 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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