Space storms to pose greater risk to flyers and astronauts

Science : Space weather is expected to become more severe over the next few decades, partly as the Sun’s activity changes. Frequent flyers and astronauts will face greater radiation hazards as a result.In times of higher activity, the Sun emits solar energetic particles (SEPs) more consistently, but at the same time generates a strong magnetic field that shields Earth against galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). Right now, the Sun has been declining to a new minimum, from a peak in about 1920. At this minimum more GCRs will reach Earth. However, although there are fewer SEP events, those that do occur are more intense. Frequent fliers are at increased risk because the thin air at high altitudes doesn’t give much protection from space weather. Astronauts, especially those traveling to the Moon or beyond, would face more potential problems; expected radiation doses from a roundtrip to Mars would increase at least twofold. This may limit space travel to Mars until 2050 at the earliest.