The Carrington event: Possible doses to crews in space from a comparable event

Journal Article · Fri Dec 29 04:00:00 EST 2006 · Advances in Space Research, 38(2):226-231

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2005.01.111· OSTI ID:897689

Townsend, L W; Stephens, Daniel L; Hoff, J L; Zapp, E N; Moussa, H M; Miller, T M; Campbell, C E; Nichols, T F

Recent ice core analyses suggest that the Carrington event of 1859 may have been the largest solar energetic particle event in the past several hundred years. Previous analyses of potential doses to humans and electronics from such an event suggested that a Carrington- like event, with a hard spectrum similar to that of the event of September 1989 could be catastrophic. Subsequent analyses of the 10Be concentration in the ice core data suggest that the spectral hardness of the Carrington event was softer and similar to the August 1972 event. In this work we review the earlier estimates of doses from a Carrington event, and present updated dose estimates for deep space crews and electronics using the Carrington event proton fluence P30 MeV in combination with an event spectrum similar to that of the August 1972 event. Potential ramifications of these doses for humans and electronics on deep space missions are discussed.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 897689
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-53009; NN200W040
• Journal Information: Advances in Space Research, 38(2):226-231, Journal Name: Advances in Space Research, 38(2):226-231
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
Carrington Flare
HARDNESS
PROTONS
SOLAR FLARES
Solar energetic particle event
Space radiation
Space radiation risks
Total ionizing doses