scholarly journals Spectra of solar energetic particle and galactic cosmic rays over a million years reconstructed using aluminium-26 data from lunar rocks

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stepan Poluianov ◽  
Gennady Kovaltsov ◽  
Ilya Usoskin
2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (12n13) ◽  
pp. 1685-1694
Author(s):  
MARCO CASOLINO

In this work we present some of the recent results obtained with the satellite missions NINA-1 and NINA-2 and the experiments on board MIR space station Sileye-1 and 2. The aim is the study of the low energy (10 MeV - 2 GeV) cosmic ray component and different periods of the solar cycle and during Solar Energetic Particle events. Other items of physics include the measurement of the secondary cosmic ray component, produced in the interaction with the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere and the evaluation of the absorbed and equivalent doses inside MIR.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 769-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Mironova ◽  
I. G. Usoskin ◽  
G. A. Kovaltsov ◽  
S. V. Petelina

Abstract. Energetic cosmic rays are the main source of ionization of the low-middle atmosphere, leading to associated changes in atmospheric properties. Via the hypothetical influence of ionization on aerosol growth and facilitated formation of clouds, this may be an important indirect link relating solar variability to climate. This effect is highly debated, however, since the proposed theoretical mechanisms still remain illusive and qualitative, and observational evidence is inconclusive and controversial. Therefore, important questions regarding the existence and magnitude of the effect, and particularly the fraction of aerosol particles that can form and grow, are still open. Here we present empirical evidence of the possible effect caused by cosmic rays upon polar stratospheric aerosols, based on a case study of an extreme solar energetic particle (SEP) event of 20 January 2005. Using aerosol data obtained over polar regions from different satellites with optical instruments that were operating during January 2005, such as the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III), and Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imaging System (OSIRIS), we found a significant simultaneous change in aerosol properties in both the Southern and Northern Polar regions in temporal association with the SEP event. We speculate that ionization of the atmosphere, which was abnormally high in the lower stratosphere during the extreme SEP event, might have led to formation of new particles and/or growth of preexisting ultrafine particles in the polar stratospheric region. However, a detailed interpretation of the effect is left for subsequent studies. This is the first time high vertical resolution measurements have been used to discuss possible production of stratospheric aerosols under the influence of cosmic ray induced ionization. The observed effect is marginally detectable for the analyzed severe SEP event and can be undetectable for the majority of weak-moderate events. The present interpretation serves as a conservative upper limit of solar energetic particle effect upon polar stratospheric aerosols.


2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 14003-14029
Author(s):  
I. A. Mironova ◽  
I. G. Usoskin ◽  
G. A. Kovaltsov ◽  
S. V. Petelina

Abstract. Energetic cosmic rays are the main source of ionization of the low-middle atmosphere, leading to associated changes in atmospheric properties. Via the hypothetical influence of ionization on aerosol growth and facilitated formation of cloud condensation nuclei, this may be an important indirect link relating solar variability to climate. This effect is highly debated, however, since the proposed theoretical mechanisms still remain illusive and qualitative, and observational evidence is inconclusive and controversial. Therefore, important questions regarding the existence and magnitude of the effect, and particularly the fraction of aerosol particles that can be formed and grow large enough to influence cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), are still open. Here we present empirical evidence of the possible effect caused by cosmic rays upon polar stratospheric aerosols, based on a case study of an extreme solar energetic particle (SEP) event of 20 January 2005. Using aerosol data obtained over polar regions from different satellites with optical instruments that were operating during January 2005, such as the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III), and Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imaging System (OSIRIS), we found a significant simultaneous change in aerosol properties in both the southern and northern polar regions in temporal association with the SEP event. We speculate that ionization of the atmosphere, which was abnormally high during this extreme SEP event, might have led to formation of new particles and/or growth of preexisting ultrafine particles up to the size of CCN. However, a detailed interpretation of the effect is left for subsequent studies. This is the first time high vertical resolution measurements have been used to provide evidence for the probable production of stratospheric CCN from cosmic ray induced ionization.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. A7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingnan Guo ◽  
Robert F. Wimmer-Schweingruber ◽  
Manuel Grande ◽  
Zoe Hannah Lee-Payne ◽  
Daniel Matthia

It is extremely important to understand and model the Martian radiation environment in preparation for future human missions to Mars, especially during extreme and elevated conditions such as an intense solar energetic particle (SEP) event. Such events may enhance the radiation level drastically and should be forecasted as soon as possible to prevent severe damage to humans and equipment. Besides, the omnipresent galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) also contribute significantly to the radiation in space and on the surface of Mars and may cause long-term damages to current and future missions. Based on GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulations with the Martian atmospheric and regolith environment setup, we have calculated and obtained some ready-to-go functions which can be used to quickly convert any given SEP or GCR proton/helium ion spectra to the radiation dose on the surface of Mars and also at different depth of the atmosphere. We implement these functions to the RADMAREE tool under the Europlanet project which can be easily accessed by the public.


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