High LET particle radiation inside skylab (SL2) command module.

Using the Langley Research Center galactic cosmic-ray transport computer code and the Computerized Anatomical Man model, initial estimates of interplanetary exposure of astronauts to galactic cosmic rays, during periods of solar minimum activity, are made for a realistic human geometry shielded by various thickness of spacecraft aluminum shielding. Conventional dose assessment in terms of total absorbed dose and dose equivalent is made for the skin, ocular lens, and bone marrow. Included in the analyses are separate evaluations of the contributions from the incident primary ions, from subsequent-generation fragmentation products, and from target fragments. In all cases considered, the equivalent sphere approximation yielded conservative overestimates for the actual organ exposures.

Cosmic Radiation↗

PubMed1991

The spectral distribution of biologically active solar radiation at Miami, Florida, USA.

The spectral distribution of solar radiation was studied under different sky conditions during a 15-month period in Miami, Florida (USA), and over a latitudinal gradient at solar maximum. Spectroradiometric scans were characterized for total irradiance (300-3000 nm) and the relative energetic and photon contributions of the following wavelength regions: UV-B (300-320 nm); UV-A (320-400 nm); B (400-500 nm); PAR (400-700 nm); R (600-700 nm); and FR (728-732 nm). Notable results include: (i) significantly higher UV-A energy fluxes than currently in use for laboratory experiments involving the biological effects of this bandwidth (values ranged from 33.6 to 55.4 W/m2 in Miami over the year); (ii) marked diurnal shifts in B:R and R:FR, with elevated R:FR values in early morning: (iii) a strong correlation between R:FR and atmospheric water content; and (iv) unusually high PAR values under direct sunlight with cloudy skies (2484 mumol/2 per s).

Cosmic Radiation↗

PubMed1990

[Solar activity and venereal disease morbidity].

Analysis of the solar activity and incidence of sexually-transmitted diseases over the period of 1954 through 1987 has revealed that development of fading of an epidemic process in sexually-transmitted diseases does not depend on enhancement or weakening of solar activity. These values much differ in respect of many parameters in various years, there is no correlation as regards the length of the periods between the minimal and maximal values or over these periods in various years. The morbidity rates are in inverse correlation with the activity of therapeutic and prophylactic institutions in detecting the patients during all types of prophylactic check-ups.

Cosmic Radiation↗