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Cosmic Ray Implications for Human Health

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Cosmic Rays and Earth

Part of the book series: Space Sciences Series of ISSI ((SSSI,volume 10))

Abstract

There appears to be concern among some people about the possible effects of cosmic radiation on everyday life. The amount of cosmic radiation that reaches the Earth and its environment is a function of solar cycle, altitude and latitude. The possible effect of naturally occurring cosmic radiation on airplane crews and space flight personal is a subject of current study. This paper discusses the variables controlling the cosmic ray flux in the atmosphere and describes models and software that have been developed that provide quantitative information about the cosmic radiation exposure at flight altitudes. The discussion is extended to include the cosmic radiation exposure to manned spacecraft.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Air Force Research Laboratory, Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA, 01731, USA

    M. A. Shea & D. F. Smart

  2. Air Force Research Laboratory (VSBS), Hanscom AFB, 29 Randolph Road, Bedford, MA, 01731-3010, USA

    M. A. Shea

Authors
  1. M. A. Shea
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  2. D. F. Smart
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bartol Research Institute, University of Delaware, 19716, Newark, DE, USA

    J. W. Bieber  & P. Evenson  & 

  2. Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere, and Radiowave Propagation (IZMIRAN), 142092, Troitsk, Moscow regime, Russia

    E. Eroshenko

  3. Solar-Terrestrial Research, National Science Foundation, 22230, Arlington, VA, USA

    P. Evenson

  4. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Bern, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland

    E. O. Flückiger

  5. International Space Science Institute, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland

    R. Kallenbach

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© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Shea, M.A., Smart, D.F. (2000). Cosmic Ray Implications for Human Health. In: Bieber, J.W., Eroshenko, E., Evenson, P., Flückiger, E.O., Kallenbach, R. (eds) Cosmic Rays and Earth. Space Sciences Series of ISSI, vol 10. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1187-6_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1187-6_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5615-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-1187-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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