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Published on: December 27, 2012
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Particle showers detected on ISS in Timepix pixel detectors
Martin Kroupa1, Thomas Campbell-Ricketts2, Stuart P George3
1Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545-0001, USA.
Life Sciences in Space Research
|November 9, 2023
Summary
High-energy cosmic rays create particle showers on the International Space Station (ISS). These events challenge traditional radiation dosimetry and highlight areas needing further study in biological responses.
Area of Science:
- Space physics
- Particle physics
- Radiation biology
Background:
- Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) are high-energy particles posing radiation risks in space.
- Understanding GCR interactions with spacecraft and astronauts is crucial for mission safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect and characterize particle showers caused by GCRs on the International Space Station (ISS).
- To investigate the spatial and temporal properties of these events.
- To assess the implications of these showers for space radiation dosimetry and biological response.
Main Methods:
- Utilized compact pixel detectors (Timepix) distributed across the ISS.
- Analyzed individual particle tracks to resolve shower event physics.
- Surveyed event frequency and dependence on ISS location and orbital position.
Main Results:
- Regular particle showers from high-energy GCRs (10s of TeV and higher) were detected.
- Event frequency showed dependence on ISS location but not orbital position.
- Individual particle tracks allowed for detailed physical analysis of shower events.
Conclusions:
- Observed GCR showers highlight limitations in traditional radiation dosimetry, particularly for larger biological targets like humans.
- The spatial and temporal characteristics of these events represent a poorly understood area of biological response to space radiation.
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