Scientists have measured the level of radiation on the moon. It is 2.5 times higher than on the ISS

According to new measurements taken from the lunar surface, a two-month stay on the Moon

will expose astronauts to roughly the same amount of radiation as spending five months on the International Space Station (ISS).

Detectors of the Chinese lunar satellite Change-4measured radiation from galactic cosmic rays on the lunar surface in 2019 and from January 31 to February 10, 2020. Now scientists have analyzed this data - the astronaut will receive an average daily dose of 1,369 microsieverts of radiation, the researchers said.

This is about 2.6 times the averagea daytime exposure of 523 microsieverts recorded inside the ISS, scientists say. This means that being on the moon for two months is not dangerous for the health of astronauts. They will receive about the same amount of radiation that astronauts receive on the ISS [for five months].

Scientists suggest the existence of life beneath the surface of Mars

The new study is arguably the firstwhich measures cosmic radiation on the lunar surface. However, scientists warn that radiation levels in other parts of the space station may be higher, so the authors may have overestimated the difference in the irradiation of the lunar surface and the ISS.

Prolonged exposure to such radiation candamage cells and DNA, which can lead to cancer, cataracts, heart problems, neurodegenerative diseases and behavioral disorders. It is not yet clear exactly what effect such exposure might have on human health. The effect of spending a lot of time in outer space can manifest itself many years after exposure.

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