Solar storm hits Earth, Moon and Mars simultaneously for first time: research

Astronomers For the first time the earth، The moon and solar collisions with Mars simultaneously Storm has been detected.

This is a development that the sun To better understand storms from and in the future Astronauts can help protect

The solar storm that erupted on October 28, 2021 was so widespread that energetic particles from the Sun fell on the surface of Mars and Earth, which are on the opposite side of the Sun and about 250 million kilometers away.

According to a new study published Wednesday in the journal Geographical Research Letters, this is the first time that solar activity has been measured simultaneously on the surface of Earth, the Moon and Mars.

Researchers examined solar activity detected by an international fleet of spacecraft.

The fleet includes NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover, China’s Chang’e-Four Moon Lander and the European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO).

Scientists say that solar activity was a normal phenomenon ‘on Earth’, during which energetic particles from the Sun passed through the Earth’s magnetic bubble, which surrounds the Earth and made the planet as it is. Protects from solar storms.

Since the Moon and Mars do not have their own magnetic fields, particles from the Sun can easily reach their surface and combine with their soil to cause secondary radiation.

According to scientists, understanding such solar phenomena is important because the Moon and Mars are the focus of future human exploration.

Radiation in excess of seven hundred milligrammes, the unit of radiation absorption, can cause radiation sickness in astronauts.

This results in the loss of bone marrow in the astronauts and symptoms such as inflammation and bleeding within the body.

Astronauts exposed to more than 10 Grays of radiation are unlikely to survive more than two weeks, scientists said.

In comparison, the amount of radiation in the lunar orbit resulting from solar activity in October 2021, as measured by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), was about 31 milligrammes.

Jing Guo, co-author of the study, said: ‘Evaluations of past events of solar particles reaching the surface of the Moon show that radiation on the Moon may exceed safe levels in an average event every five and a half years.

“If radiation protection is not provided, it is important to understand these events with respect to future manned missions to the lunar surface.”

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The research also revealed important information about how Mars’ tenuous atmosphere provides protection against solar radiation.

Measurements by the Curiosity rovers at ExoMars TGO and I show that the October 2021 solar storm delivered 9 mg of radiation to Mars’ orbit, compared to the 0.3 mg of radiation found on the Red Planet’s surface. was 30 times more than

The new findings could add to knowledge for better design of protective space suits for astronauts.

TGO project scientist Colin Wilson said: ‘Cosmic radiation can pose a real threat to our research throughout the solar system. Measurements by robotic missions of radiation resulting from high-radiation events are critical to preparing for long-duration manned missions.

“Thanks to data from missions like ExoMars TGO, we can plan how we can best protect our human crew as researchers.”

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**Interview ⁢with Dr. Jing Guo, Co-Author of Solar Activity ⁣Study**

**Editor**: Thank you for joining us, ‌Dr. Guo. Your recent study published in *Geographical Research Letters* revealed that for the first time, solar activity​ was measured on Earth, the Moon, and Mars simultaneously.‌ Can you tell us​ what spurred this research?

**Dr. Guo**: Thank you for having me. This research⁤ was primarily driven by the increasing interest in human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Understanding solar storms and their impact⁤ on these celestial bodies is crucial for ensuring the safety of astronauts in future missions.

**Editor**: That makes sense.⁢ You mentioned that the​ solar storm that erupted on October 28, 2021, affected all three bodies. How significant was this event?

**Dr. Guo**: This storm was quite remarkable due ⁢to​ its expansive reach.⁣ Energetic particles from the Sun made their way to ⁤both Earth and Mars, which are ⁣approximately 250 million ⁢kilometers apart. The fact that we could simultaneously measure this activity on all three ⁣bodies helps us to paint a clearer ‍picture of solar impacts.

**Editor**: What makes the Moon and ⁢Mars particularly vulnerable to solar storms compared to Earth?

**Dr. Guo**: Earth has a protective magnetic field‌ that shields us from most⁤ solar particles, but the Moon and Mars lack such ‌a field. As a result, solar particles can⁤ easily reach their surfaces and interact with the soil, generating secondary radiation which poses a risk to any astronauts present.

**Editor**: You noted that excessive radiation can have dire consequences for astronauts. Could you elaborate​ on what those risks entail?

**Dr. Guo**: We’ve observed that radiation levels above 700 milligrays ⁣can lead to radiation ⁣sickness, with ⁢severe effects like bone marrow loss and systemic inflammation. Astronauts exposed to more ⁣than 10 Grays are unlikely to survive beyond two weeks. The importance of understanding these radiation doses cannot be overstated as we prepare ‍for human missions to⁢ these locations.

**Editor**: Your study suggested that radiation levels on the Moon could‍ exceed safe thresholds every five and a half years. What measures can be ⁢taken to protect ⁣astronauts?

**Dr. Guo**: It’s vital to develop ⁤advanced radiation shielding and protective habitats for astronauts. Real-time monitoring of solar activity will also be essential so that astronauts can take precautionary measures during solar events. Understanding these solar phenomena will directly influence our approach to safe human⁣ exploration of the Moon and Mars.

**Editor**: Thank‍ you, ​Dr. Guo, for‍ sharing‌ your insights. It’s clear this research will​ play a crucial role in the​ future of space exploration.

**Dr. Guo**: Thank⁢ you for having me. The safety of our astronauts is our top priority, ⁢and advancing ⁤our understanding of solar activity is a significant⁤ step in that direction.

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