RADIATION STORM HITS MARS ROVER: From X-Class Flare Jan 27th (Feb 24th, 2012).
Indeed, on Jan. 27th, 2012, Curiosity’s spacecraft was hit by the most intense solar radiation storm since 2005. The event began when sunspot AR1402 produced an X2-class solar flare. (On the “Richter Scale of Solar Flares,” X-flares are the most powerful kind.) The explosion accelerated a fusillade of protons and electrons to nearly light speed; these subatomic bullets were guided by the sun’s magnetic field almost directly toward Curiosity. When the particles hit the outer walls of the spacecraft, they shattered other atoms and molecules in their path, producing a secondary spray of radiation that Curiosity both absorbed and measured. “Curiosity was in no danger,” says Hassler. “In fact, we intended all along for the rover to experience these storms en route to Mars.”
I can’t wait for this beast to land on Mars, hope there is some kind of live NASA feed for the landing. The size of this rover is brilliant and the landing set up is quite ingenious. Why would we spend billions getting man to Mars when we are close to having technology that can give us just a good a view of the red planet. I believe this rover even has a 3d camera so we will get our first 3d images of Mars, I would love to see a video the rover takes in 3d that would be really cool.
Thank you for this video.
It would be interesting, when the data has been analysed, to get some idea of whether or not the radiation experienced would be a health risk to any astronauts on board future flights. Extended periods outside the Earth’s magnetic shield could be no problem, somewhat risky…or flatly lethal. It will be interesting to find out.
Thank for the video on curiosity. Nice to see what we are doing.
excellent