Oct 27 – 31, 2025
Europe/Stockholm timezone

Cosmic radiation near Earth: Impact of solar activity and the geomagnetic field in long-term modelling of dose from cosmic radiation in space

Oct 30, 2025, 3:00 PM
15m
Tonsalen

Tonsalen

Oral SWR5 - Space Climate SWR5 – Space Climate

Speaker

Miguel Reis Orcinha (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare - INFN Sezione di Perugia)

Description

The intensity and energy spectrum of energetic charged radiation in the heliosphere are significantly influenced by solar activity. This phenomenon is known as solar modulation of cosmic rays.
As interplanetary travel becomes a reality, missions in low-earth orbit become longer and more frequent. In order to accurately assess the radiation hazard experienced by astronauts during space missions, there is an emergent need for accurately depicting the space radiation environment and predicting the cosmic-ray flux in the heliosphere.

Using a new effective and predictive model of solar modulation which incorporates fundamental physics processes of particle transport, we were able to compute the solar modulated cosmic-ray flux near Earth as it evolves with the solar activity cycle.
Empowered by this model we will present our estimates and predictions of the dose imparted onto humans in space by the cosmic-ray flux of all elemental nuclei up to nickel, contributing to the full picture required to assess the radiation environment during space travel.

We will also present our studies on the impact of the geomagnetic field and its shielding effect on the total dose experienced by astronauts as they orbit Earth on board of the International Space Station.
We will present a method for developing transfer functions in order to improve the accuracy of dose estimates near planetary magnetic fields.

By providing a robust framework for understanding cosmic ray variations and their implications for space travel, our research contributes to advancing the safety and effectiveness of space exploration endeavours.

Do you plan to attend in-person or online? In-person

Primary author

Miguel Reis Orcinha (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare - INFN Sezione di Perugia)

Co-authors

Bruna Bertucci (Università degli Studi di Perugia & INFN Sez. Perugia) David Pelosi (Università degli Studi di Perugia & INFN Sez. Perugia) Emanuele Fiandrini (Università degli Studi di Perugia & INFN Sez. Perugia) Fernando Barão (Laboratório de Instrumentação e Física Experimental de Partículas, Lisboa, Portugal) Nicola Tomassetti (Università degli Studi di Perugia & INFN Sez. Perugia)

Presentation materials