Space radiation is a topic of growing importance to scientists and researchers as well as the general public. This thorough reference text covers space radiation and its biological effects. The book addresses the sources and various types of space radiation as well as the astrophysical phenomena responsible for the generation of this radiation. It describes the radiation encountered by astronauts and the potential health effects during present and proposed future missions, including that encountered in transiting the Van Allen Belts and inter-planetary space. It also describes the radiation stemming from the solar wind, solar flares and other sources of sporadic “solar particle events”, and the radiation originating from extra-solar or galactic origins.
Key Features
Provides a uniquely broad scope overview of the topic with the focus on space radiation and its effect on the human body Appeals to a scientifically literate general audience as well as professionals and researchers A single source reference that provides both depth and breadth Covers a topic of increasing importance in coming years as serious interest in space travel grows
1 An introduction to space radiation 2 Space radiation beyond Mars 3 Astronomy basics 4 Elementary physics, chemistry and biology 5 Fundamentals of radioactivity 6 Basic radiation science 7 Elements of quantum mechanics for space radiation 8 Quarks, leptons and radiation: the Standard Model 9 Radiation chemistry 10 Radiation biochemistry 11 Molecular radiobiology 12 Radiation and respiration 13 Elementary zoology 14 Introduction to radiophiles 15 Essentials of astrophysics 16 The Sun 17 Cosmic rays 18 Planet Earth 19 Space weather 20 Mercury and Venus 21 Mars 22 Asteroids 23 Jupiter and its moons 24 Saturn 25 Uranus 26 Neptune 27 Radiation belts beyond our Solar System 28 Radiation and paleontology 29 Radiation and climate 30 Mass extinctions and radiation 31 Gamma ray bursts 32 X-rays and gamma rays in space 33 Neutron stars, magnetars and soft gamma repeaters 34 Black holes and Hawking radiation 35 The Big Bang and radiation—the beginning and the end
James S. Welsh, MD, is currently a Professor and Director of Translational Research, Department of Radiation Oncology, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, as well as Chief of Radiation Oncology at Edward Hines Jr. VA Medical Center. He was a past President and Gold Medal recipient of the American College of Radiation Oncology. He has been a member of several committees for the American College of Radiology and ASTRO. He is a former member of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission ACMUI, UNSCEAR adviser, and was a neutron beam therapy specialty physician at NIU Institute for Neutron Therapy at Fermilab.
