 |
Lunar Exploration |
Radiation: Can't Live Without It!
The third of four Web Seminars on the topic of Lunar
Exploration was held on Tuesday, November 21, 2006, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eastern time. The presenter was Dr. Anuradha Koratkar, Associate Research Scientist
at the University of Maryland Baltimore County's Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology
(GEST) Center. The presentation focused on radiation in space and how it may affect
equipment and humans involved in lunar exploration in the next decade. One of the
goals of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, scheduled for launch in 2008,
is to measure the solar radiation at the surface of the Moon.
Twenty-eight (28) participants were present in addition to the presenter and the
NSTA staff. Participating educators represented the states of Arkansas, California,
Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.
In this presentation educators learned about electromagnetic radiation and how it
can affect people and equipment in the planned exploration of the Moon in the next
decade. Electromagnetic radiation is produced by the motion of electrically charged
particles. Living as we do in the atmosphere of the Sun, the radiation environment
in space includes both solar electromagnetic radiation and high energy charged particles:
the solar wind and cosmic rays. Humans and equipment in space can be affected by
this solar electromagnetic radiation. Low dosage of radiation on humans is of no
negative consequence. However, high radiation dosage could lead to cell damage,
causing cancer and potentially death. Solar electromagnetic radiation can affect
equipment negatively because highly energetic particles can penetrate electronic
components and cause malfunctions. The only solution known for the radiation problem
is shielding. Better materials will be engineered to support long term lunar missions
in the next decade. Solar weather forecasting will continue so that astronauts can
be warned when it is no safe to be outside and unprotected.
The CRATER telescope, one of the instruments on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter,
will measure the radiation levels at the surface of the Moon. All participants received
a copy of NSTA's SciGuide on NASA Exploration: The Moon, Mars & Beyond, grades 5-8.
Here are some comments provided by the participants at the end of the Web Seminar:
- "I am currently writing a planetary science curriculum that will look at exploration
of the Moon and Mars and radiation will be one of the topics covered."
- "The information was extremely helpful for use with our astronomy unit. The
pictures, charts, and graphs were great!"
- "This will support my teaching as soon as Tuesday of next week. I'm currently
teaching this and now I have a better understanding so I can help create understanding
and not misconceptions."
- "It is valuable to gain insight into the direction of lunar exploration and
to learn what scientists have learned about the effects of radiation on astronauts
and equipment to become further prepared in training teachers in space science."
Thanks to the participants and the presenter for the learning opportunity, the interactions,
and a job well done!
Web Seminar III Resources
Archive
See a recorded
version of the Web Seminar.
PowerPoint Presentation
- PC Download: To view online select link below to display in browser.
To download PowerPoint slides to your desktop right click on the link below and
select "save target as" from the drop down menu.
- MAC Download: To download PowerPoint slides to your desktop control
+ click on the link below and select "Save Linked File As..."
Download File Web Seminar III: Radiation: Can't Live It, Can't Live Without
It!
- PowerPoint Presentation (3.12 MB)
- Add this Web Seminar Archive to your NSTA Learning Center Library
Websites
For more information contact webseminars@nsta.org
Back to Top
|
|
Underwritten in part by NASA
|