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Factors affecting cosmic-ray doses at aircraft altitudes
1National Radiological Protection Board, Didcot, Oxon, United Kingdom. gerry.kendall@nrpb.org.uk
Health Physics
|October 25, 2000
Summary
Cosmic rays contribute to global radiation doses, increasing with altitude and varying with latitude due to Earth's magnetic field. Solar activity further influences these doses, particularly relevant for air travel radiation protection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiation Physics
- Aviation Safety
Background:
- Cosmic radiation is a global environmental factor affecting human health.
- Altitude and geomagnetic latitude significantly influence cosmic ray exposure.
- Solar activity introduces temporal variations in cosmic ray flux.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the factors influencing cosmic ray exposure.
- To contextualize these factors within radiation protection guidelines for air travel.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cosmic ray physics.
- Analysis of altitude and latitude effects on radiation dose.
- Consideration of solar cycle variations and their impact.
Main Results:
- Cosmic ray dose contribution is significant but not typically dominant.
- Radiation exposure increases with altitude.
- Earth's magnetic field causes latitude-dependent variations in dose.
Conclusions:
- Altitude and latitude are key determinants of cosmic ray exposure.
- Solar activity adds a time-dependent variable to radiation dose.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for radiation protection in aviation.