Science
 |
|
A photograph of the shoe-box sized CRaTER instrument. The computer box is on the left, and the detector assembly is on the right. (NASA) |
Because of cosmic rays, the Moon has a harsh radiation environment. CRaTER has helped scientists understand the effect of this radiation by using a measurement called a dose rate.
A dose rate is the amount of radiation an object (a human, a spacecraft, etc.) receives during a certain amount of time. The higher the dose rate, the more radiation the object receives. A higher dose rate is also more dangerous.
With CRaTER, scientists have measured the dose rate from both galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles. These measurements help us understand how these particles will affect astronauts making long trips in space.
 |
“Well, I personally think we cosmic rays radiate more charm than harm. Anyway, CRaTER also helps us understand the Moon. |