Areas of low radiation found on Mars

As you know, there is a high level of radiation on the surface of our red neighbor (Mars). And this is due to the fact that Mars is completely devoid of both a magnetic field and does not have a sufficiently dense atmosphere to protect the surface from destructive radiation.

Mars and background radiation problems

Of course, for any living organism, including humans, radiation doses on the surface of Mars are destructive. But as the new study has demonstrated, the background radiation on the surface of the Red Surface is not equally high everywhere.

As it turned out, the topography of the area forms quite natural "pockets", where conditions may well be suitable for a long stay.

So in 2012, the Curiosity rover was landed on the surface of the red planet, on board which was placed a detector designed to assess the radiation (RAD). This instrument evaluates potentially hazardous radiation from the sun as well as other sources.

Scientists, thanks to the work of the device, evaluate the effect of radiation on microorganisms. So over the years, the rover has been studying several regions, including the Murray Butts region, which is located at the lower tip of the Sharpe Mountains (Gale Crater).

So during its work in this area (which lasted for 13 sols), the sensor on Curiosity recorded the radiation dose 5% lower than in other parts of the Red Planet.

Scientists became interested in this point and decided to investigate in more detail. Scientists have made the assumption that such a decrease was possible due to the presence of a high hill in that area. Scientists suggested that it was this hill that blocked part of the surface from cosmic radiation.

But not everything is so simple. It was found in such areas that the so-called reflected radiation (radiation that emanates from the rocks of the planet's surface) increases.

This work is critical to planning probable future manned missions to Mars. So scientists are already actively working on the development of systems of protection against radiation exposure and on at the moment, engineers are planning to place the Martian bases in lava tubes located under surface.

Well, perhaps we will soon witness the first manned flight to Mars. And this will be a truly historic event for all mankind.

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