How much gamma radiation does the Sun generate that it ejects into space?

Question

Given that every proton-proton chain from hydrogen to helium produces gamma rays; so I have read.

Come on, people. If you don't have a quantative answer, you're wasting everyone's time.

I specified "ejects into space" so that the gamma radiation that does not escape the sun would not be part of the answer.

Then to criticize my choice of the word "eject" is completely unnecessary. What would you have me say? "goes from the sun to outer space"?

Of course it would be a lot. Of course you should have lead shielding.

I have been researching this on Google and I probably will have to continue to do so. I ask here on Yahoo Answers because someone might have a quick answer and because I can interact with those giving answers.

I won't report you for a useless answer; but on the other hand, if you can't say something useful or at least extrememely hilarious, just move on.

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Answer 1

Dude ! ask an astronomer !
http://asktheastronomer.blogspot.com

[e-mail]

Answer 2

You're right. A lot. At our distance from the Sun, 150 million km., even a few weeks on the International Space Station is enough to give you an unhealthy dose of gamma rays, and a big solar storm will kill you. It's the biggest unsolved problem of long space missions. With today's technology, on a 2-year mission to Mars, a solar storm would be a big problem; the only way to shield the crew from gamma rays is with heavy materials like rock, concrete and lead, which of course are very expensive to take into space. The only safe place for a lunar base will be underground. High temperature alone, as well as the proton-proton reactions you mention, produces gamma rays and X-rays. Particle radiation like neutrons, alpha particles, beta particles and cosmic rays can be dealt without expensive heavy shielding, but gamma rays can't.

Answer 3

Hello UV...

I guess I would argue with you about the word you used...
EJECTS...because you cannot eject gamma rays. They
are radiated in the same manner that light rays are
radiated by a light bulb.

Try this simple experiment...
Take a very small candle it on the floor in the center
of a dark room. Light the candle. Now step back into
one of the corners of the room. Look at the candle.
Light rays should be given off by the candle flame in
all directions, getting weaker and weaker the farther
you get away from the flame itself.

This is the same thing that happens with gamma radiation
from the fusion processes taking place on the Sun, only
the size of the candle flame is zillions of times bigger. The full spectrum of Light, X Rays, and Gamma Rays are radiated outward in all directions by the fusion reaction process.

Over time pressures within the core of the Sun build up to levels such that jets of hot molten gases and energy shoot upward through weak spots in the Sun's surface and into space surrounding the Sun. These periodic bursts are collectively called Solar Flares. The jets of hot gas extend thousands of miles into space according to Ian Ridpath, author of ASTRONOMY, DK publishing, NY, NY. Here again, the gas jets burst forth from the surface of the Sun, and are not ejected as one normally thinks of that word's meaning.

As far as measuring how much radiation is emitted...That is a rather large question to tackle and presumes some form of uniform measurement which I cannot supply. However I can tell you this:

The core of the Sun contains about 60 percent of its mass. The temperature of the Sun's core is estimated to be at about 27 Million Degrees F, and hydrogen is being converted into helium at a rate of roughly 600 Million Tons every second. In that process, nearly 5 Million Tons of that gas is released in the process as energy every second. The sheer volume of energy released is larger than any measuring device or parameter that I can think of.

Answer 4

remember that you are only going to see the radiation from those reactions that are near the surface. The vast majority of the reactions occur within the core and are shielded by the mass of the sun itself.

Don't forget about the neutrinos. Everyone always forgets about them..

;-)

Answer 5

read more to get the answer..
kidding. if i'm not wrong it should be as much as the earth is getting them.
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