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- ENERGETIC PARTICLES
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- For nearly 30 years it was thought that all solar energetic particles (SEPs) were accelerated in solar flares. It has
- become clear that the largest and most energetic particle events at Earth are associated with shock waves driven out into
- interplanetary space by coronal mass ejections.
- Energetic solar protons are a radiation health hazard for astronauts. The arrival time in the near-Earth environment can
- begin within tens of minutes of the eruption. While low inclination orbits take advantage of the shielding of the Earth's
- magnetosphere, high inclination orbits place the shuttle outside normal rigidity cut-offs, allowing increased dosages.
- Prediction and monitoring of solar flares and CMEs provide essential safety constraints
- Also the radiation exposure to passengers in high-altitude aircraft is of concern.
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