Would the risk of an astronaut in space be greater than a fellow human on Earth?

Question

Please answer the question in perspective of solar flares and radiation. Your help/time/generosity is greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Space is a unique environment. Orbital velocities alone provide risks of collisions with dust as well as many kinds of Solar radiation.

An astronaut would probably not encounter a solar flare directly. However the radiation and ionic streams that are streaming out from these storms often pass by Earth.

We, on Earth, are protected from most Solar radiation. We experience it as the Aurora or Northern Lights. On Earth we experience the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Most radiation, however, is screened out by the magnetosphere or atmosphere before it can reach the Earth's surface, and the life thereon.

An astronaut is only protected by his vehicle and his clothing or space suit. These are good at protecting astronauts, but astronauts are still in far more danger than his fellow humans on Earth.

;-D We should all be thankful that courageous men and women do brave deeds that benefit all mankind.

Answer 2

The astronaut in space is more at risk from solar radiation than someone on Earth. Our atmosphere does a good job of protecting us, but in space there's no such protection. Even then, though, as long as the astronaut(s) are inside some space vehicle they're relatively safe unless a severe solar flare occurs.

Answer 3

In space, no one can here you scream!

Why is that? Simple, there is no atmosphere. No atmosphere means a very hostile environment. Not hostile sometimes, hostile ALL the time. One leak, one misstep and you are dead. Even if you are careful, yes a solar flare can fry you like a cat in a microwave.

On earth we are surround by a loving and protective blanket called an atmosphere. Here we can live and breath with no worry (other than lung diseases from all the smog) and are protected from all that greasy radiation coursing through space.

So, you could say it is safer on earth, unless some slap happy person presses the wrong button, then give me space any old time.

Answer 4

Yeah. Cause we are protected by a thick layer of atmosphere whereas an astronaut is only protected by their suit. And earth's magnetic field produce a protective layer called the Van Allen's belt (I think its spelled this way). It protects us from the harmful particles emitted by the sun through solar flares.