Heavy ion observations by MARIE in cruise phase and Marsorbit

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 2004 · Advances in Space Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1177(03)00519-2· OSTI ID:881736

Lee, Kerry T; Cleghorn, Timothy F; Cucinotta, Francis A; Pinsky, Lawrence S; Zeitlin, Cary

The charged particle spectrum for nuclei from protons to neon, (charge Z = 10) was observed during the cruise phase and orbit around Mars by the MARIE charged particle spectrometer on the Odyssey spacecraft. The cruise data were taken between April 23, 2001 and mid-August 2001. The Mars orbit data were taken March 5, 2002 through May 2002 and are scheduled to continue until August 2004. Charge peaks are clearly separated for charges up to Z = 10. Especially prominent are the carbon and oxygen peaks, with boron and nitrogen also clearly visible. Although heavy ions are much less abundant than protons in the cosmic ray environment, it is important to determine their abundances because their ionization energy losses (proportional to Z2) are far more dangerous to humans and to instruments. Thus the higher charged nuclei make a significant contribution to dose and dose equivalent received in space. Results of the charged particle spectrum measurements will be reported.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Director, Office of Science; National Aeronautics andSpace Administration
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 881736
• Report Number(s): LBNL--58591; BnR: 400409900
• Journal Information: Advances in Space Research, Journal Name: Advances in Space Research Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 33
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
BORON
CARBON
CHARGED PARTICLES
DOSE EQUIVALENTS
ENERGY LOSSES
HEAVY IONS
IONIZATION
NEON
NITROGEN
NUCLEI
OXYGEN
PROTONS
SPECTROMETERS
space radiation heavy ions Mars MARIE