MSL Instrument Detects Solar Burst's Effects

[baa...@earthlink.net]

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2012-028

Mars-Bound Instrument Detects Solar Burst's Effects
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
January 27, 2012

The largest solar particle event since 2005 has been detected by the
radiation- monitoring instrument aboard the Mars Science Laboratory
spacecraft, on its way from Earth to Mars.

The Radiation Assessment Detector, inside the mission's Curiosity rover
tucked inside the spacecraft, is measuring the radiation exposure that
could affect a human astronaut on a potential Mars mission. It has
measured an increase resulting from a Jan. 22 solar storm observed by
other NASA spacecraft. No harmful effects to the Mars Science Laboratory
have been detected from this solar event.

For more information about what effects the radiation detector has
measured, visit:
http://www.swri.org/9what/releases/2012/rad-solarstorm.htm .

Guy Webster 818-687-7708
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
Guy.w...@jpl.nasa.gov

2012-028