ASTRONICA

Solar X-Ray Radiation

Present Condition: 

- - - Radiation Effects - - -

This is the normal background X-Ray radiation level presented by solar system interplanetary space. Nothing to worry about.
The D-layer of Earth's ionosphere begins to densify, causing some radio-wave transmissions to fail. Radio, T.V. and cell phones may malfunction. This is strongest in places that have the Sun directly overhead. There's no BioEnergy danger.
The X-Ray radiation levels start to be mildly unsafe for high-flying aircraft personnel (pilots and flight attendants) and passengers. If the flight is short or at a low altitude, the dosis that each of the plane's occupants will receive is similar to that of a chest X-Ray. But, if it's a long flight, at a high altitude, or worse still, if it's a trans-polar flight, the dosis is higher (from 2 to 5 chest X-Rays). Should a passenger have cancer, or if she's a pregnant woman, they'd both do well to postpone their flight until the radiation subdues. It is to be noted that a plane's material DOES NOT stop X-Rays from affecting its occupants.
Now the X-Ray dosis is equivalent to around 10 chest exposures. People with cancer, chronic allergies, AIDS and pregnant women (especially if they're in their 8 to 15th week of gestation) SHOULD AVOID AIRPLANES ALTOGETHER. The production of spermatozoids could also be adversely affected. If the airplane personnel and the passengers insist on flying, they should be made aware (as stated by US and European Federal Laws) that THEY ARE TAKING A SERIOUS RISK. If it's a trans-polar flight, the dosage of radiation could well be in the range of 10 to 50 chest X-rays. This is indeed a high level of exposure!

These are truly exceptional cases (luckily!). It's a dangerous situation for both airplane occupants and for people that reside or visit high mountain ranges. For an astronaut in space, it means instant death. The radiation level is similar to that of 50 to 100 chest X-Rays, an extremely high dosage, as any radiologist will confirm. In this case, the chromosomes of a person subjected to this kind of radiation may suffer permanent damage. It has been proved that high dosages of X-Rays produce cancer. The obvious advice is: stay away from airplanes and high mountains for several days!

To be on the safe side, if you're going to travel by plane, come and inspect this page before doing so. Here you'll see the current situation of the Sun's X-Ray production. This will help you decide if you can travel safely or not. This is a *must do* task for a mother-to-be (there is proof that an unborn infant of 8 to 15 weeks of age, if exposed to strong X-Rays dosis, could later suffer from mental retardation).

Please understand that it is not our intention to frighten anyone. This is a public service designed to alert the would-be travellers, and to make them aware of Space Weather conditions that could adversely affect their health (or that of their present and future children). In Europe and the USA, there are laws that compel airline management to warn their personnel accordingly, so that they can freely decide if they want to fly or not.

But... ¿Who warns the unsuspecting public?

The astrophysical part of this service is based on information supplied by the NOAA Space Environment Center.

The BioEnergy effect interpretation of the astrophysical data has been prepared by the World Association of Astronica (WAA), based on information from Space Weather for Aviation Service Providers, and from other online services.

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