Why are X-rays absorbed in the atmosphere.

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    Atmosphere X-rays
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SUMMARY

X-rays and gamma rays from outer space are significantly absorbed by Earth's atmosphere, primarily due to mechanisms such as photoelectric absorption, Compton scattering, and pair production. Despite the high energy of these photons, the atmosphere's depth creates an optically thick environment that effectively blocks these harmful radiations. This protective feature prevents genetic damage to living organisms on Earth. The discussion highlights the surprising efficiency of the atmosphere in absorbing high-energy radiation, contrary to the expectation that denser materials would be necessary for such absorption.

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  • Understanding of electromagnetic radiation types, specifically X-rays and gamma rays.
  • Familiarity with atmospheric science and its layers.
  • Knowledge of photon interaction mechanisms such as photoelectric effect and Compton scattering.
  • Basic principles of radiation protection and its biological implications.
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  • Research the mechanisms of photoelectric absorption in atmospheric physics.
  • Study Compton scattering and its effects on high-energy photons.
  • Explore pair production and its relevance in radiation interactions.
  • Investigate the design and function of orbiting platforms for X-ray astronomy.
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Astrophysicists, atmospheric scientists, radiation safety professionals, and anyone interested in the interaction of high-energy radiation with Earth's atmosphere.

Naty1
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X-ray observations of outer space are usually made from orbiting platforms. Yet radio and optical astronomy seems to work pretty well.

I got to thinking that it seems odd for the highest energy electromagnetic radiation to be so well blocked by Earth's atmosphere...I would have thought: more energy the more radiation gets thru...but apparently not.

Seems like the highest energy radiation (X-rays,gamma rays, and some UV) from space are blocked in the upper atmosphere protecting us from genetic damage; I would have thought it would take more dense atmosphere to block the most energetic radiation; again, apparently not:

There is a nice diagram here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Atmospheric_electromagnetic_opacity.svg

What's the mechanism(s) that accounts for this absorption?? Is it the upper atmosphere that also blocks high energy radiation emitted from earth??
 
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Photoelectric absorption, compton, pair production - the total extinction cross section for high-energy photons is large enough that the atmosphere is optically thick even though it's relatively low-density, because it's so deep. Lucky us. :smile:
 

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