Q: Personal magnetic fields: Protection from space radiation

[Algren]

I have no idea how lethal/strong space radiation is, but i do have an idea that most of it is from the sun perhaps?
I also know that the prime factor to deflect this radiation is magnetic field and the ozone layer. I think the magnetic field handles only particle radiation and atmosphere handles the e/m radiation? idk.

What i wish to ask if there is a naked human out in space, where should i locate a personal magnet (to optimize strength/protection) and how strong should it be to protect from that part of radiation which can be deflected by the magnetic field efficiently?

 

[berkeman]

I have no idea how lethal/strong space radiation is, but i do have an idea that most of it is from the sun perhaps?
I also know that the prime factor to deflect this radiation is magnetic field and the ozone layer. I think the magnetic field handles only particle radiation and atmosphere handles the e/m radiation? idk.

What i wish to ask if there is a naked human out in space, where should i locate a personal magnet (to optimize strength/protection) and how strong should it be to protect from that part of radiation which can be deflected by the magnetic field efficiently?

You can start with this NASA page about how astronauts are protected in space...

http://srag.jsc.nasa.gov/spaceradiation/how/how.cfm

 

[Algren]

You can start with this NASA page about how astronauts are protected in space...

http://srag.jsc.nasa.gov/spaceradiation/how/how.cfm

The info about radiological ground/terra support and radiological on site support with the help of prediction programmes and detection instruments is interesting. This only tells me how the safety of a mission is judged, and not about the actual materials used to protect the astronauts first hand from the radiations, and certainly not how different types of radiations are deflected by different anti-radiation equipment.

 

[berkeman]

Oops, apologies. I only skimmed it after finding it via Google.

This link does discuss shielding as well: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_threat_from_cosmic_rays

.

 

[Algren]

Oops, apologies. I only skimmed it after finding it via Google.

This link does discuss shielding as well: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_threat_from_cosmic_rays

.

Thanks, although it still doesn't seem to answer the question of personal shields. Its assuming 5m toroidal sizes, when actually all a human needs at max is a sphere of diameter 3m. How expensive would the hybrid version of a personal shield be though? and another q: how large is the toroidal analogue of Earth's magnetic field?

+ Apparently, the few references i saw about the impossibility of hybrid magnetic field are older than me, so i guess its outdated? I'm pretty sure shielding is very important if you're planning to settle humans in mars, because Mars has very low shielding.

 

[berkeman]

Thanks, although it still doesn't seem to answer the question of personal shields. Its assuming 5m toroidal sizes, when actually all a human needs at max is a sphere of diameter 3m. How expensive would the hybrid version of a personal shield be though? and another q: how large is the toroidal analogue of Earth's magnetic field?

+ Apparently, the few references i saw about the impossibility of hybrid magnetic field are older than me, so i guess its outdated? I'm pretty sure shielding is very important if you're planning to settle humans in mars, because Mars has very low shielding.

Personal shielding is a space suit.

And there is a practical reason that using a big magnet is not a very good way to try to shield yourself in space -- can you think of what that reason might be?

 

[Chronos]

Big magnet = big mass - very impractical to lug around. You can moderate that with more power, but, more power also = big mass. You must also consider magnetic saturation of your field coil core before you go power crazy.