A new family of parameters intended for composition studies in cosmic ray surface array detectors is proposed.
In addition inter-planetary astronauts are going to have to deal with things like cosmic rays, Mars surface radiation and storms of dust or 'fines' - particles that are smaller than dust particles.
Neutrons, particles found in the nuclei of atoms, are continually knocked off the surface by cosmic rays, but these neutrons fly out at very high velocities.
Scars from cosmic bombardments riddled its surface, implying that Mars had undergone no erosion by air, seas and churning rock over the eons.
Although liquid water is deemed essential for life, the researchers said the discovery has no immediate implications for the possible existence of microbial life forms on Mars as cosmic radiation bombarding its surface would make be it too hazardous for living organisms to survive.
Martian microorganisms could have reached Earth on meteorites, flung away from the Red Planet's surface by cosmic impacts.
Radiation would remain a danger during the stay, with Mars possessing no magnetosphere to shield the surface from cosmic and solar rays.
Some of the principal challenges include dealing with cosmic rays in space, surface radiation on Mars, storms of dust or "fines" (particles that are smaller than dust), the effects of weightlessness and human factors including psychological issues.
The following environmental elements need to be considered in order to protect humans and the equipment on the planetary surface: (i) cosmic ionizing radiation, (ii) solar particle events; (iii) solar ultraviolet radiation; (iv) reduced gravity; (v) thin atmosphere; (vi) extremes in temperatures and their fluctuations; and (vii) surface dust.
This suggests that neon will be a useful tool in determining cosmic exposure ages of surface rocks and meteorites.
