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Although not harmful in small doses, x-rays and cosmic rays potentially can damage tissue or sensitive computer equipment; spacecraft and some ground-based electronics are specially hardened against them for this reason.

High energy particles have the potential to damage DNA and in some cases cause mutations, although this is not a cause for panic. The Earth's atmosphere and powerful magnetic field manage to shield us from most space-born radiation and high-energy particles.

In a typical year a person might receive about 360 millirems of x-ray radiation from space and other normal sources of radiation in the matter around us. By comparison, a dental x-ray is about 2 to 3 mrems. Astronauts which travel outside the Earth's magnetosphere were known to be exposed to larger doses of radiation; this was studied as part of the Apollo lunar mission effort, and the levels deemed safe owing to the brevity of the missions. Some astronauts reported seeing brief flashes of light in their vision, which was attributed to cosmic rays although the mechanism is not fully understood.

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Why are cosmic rays harmful to living organisms?

Cosmic rays are harmful to living organisms because they are high-energy particles that can damage cells and DNA, increasing the risk of cancer and other health problems. They can penetrate through the atmosphere and into our bodies, causing ionization and mutations in cells. Prolonged exposure to cosmic rays can have detrimental effects on living organisms.


How cosmic rays harmful to human?

Cosmic rays can be harmful to humans because they have high energy levels that can damage cells and DNA, leading to an increased risk of cancer. They can also interfere with electronic equipment, such as in spacecraft or satellites, posing a threat to astronauts and technology in space. Protective measures, such as shielding and monitoring exposure levels, are important for mitigating the risks of cosmic rays.


Does the ozone layer protect the earth from harmful cosmic rays?

The ozone layer primarily protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, rather than cosmic rays. Cosmic rays are high-energy particles originating from outside the solar system that can penetrate Earth's atmosphere, but their interaction with the ozone layer is minimal.


Are cosmic rays dangerous to earths inhabitants?

Cosmic rays can be extremely dangerous, and exposure to them can cause genetic mutations, cancer, radiation posion, and death. Luckily, life on Earth is largely protected from these harmful effects by the Earth's atmosphere (which stops all cosmic rays with energies below 1 GeV) and the Earth's magnetic field (which deflects cosmic rays).


What effect does the earths magnetic field have on the intensity of cosmic rays striking the earths surface?

The Earth's magnetic field acts as a shield, deflecting charged particles (cosmic rays) away from the surface. This helps reduce the intensity of cosmic rays reaching the Earth's surface. However, cosmic rays can still penetrate the atmosphere at higher latitudes where the magnetic field is weaker.

Related Questions

Why are cosmic rays harmful to living organisms?

Cosmic rays are harmful to living organisms because they are high-energy particles that can damage cells and DNA, increasing the risk of cancer and other health problems. They can penetrate through the atmosphere and into our bodies, causing ionization and mutations in cells. Prolonged exposure to cosmic rays can have detrimental effects on living organisms.


How cosmic rays harmful to human?

Cosmic rays can be harmful to humans because they have high energy levels that can damage cells and DNA, leading to an increased risk of cancer. They can also interfere with electronic equipment, such as in spacecraft or satellites, posing a threat to astronauts and technology in space. Protective measures, such as shielding and monitoring exposure levels, are important for mitigating the risks of cosmic rays.


What are deadly cosmic rays?

They are rays from the sun. They are way more harmful than UV rays. They go in zigzag line. Anything struck by the deadly cosmic rays might get killed. The magnetic field is a force that protects the planet from deadly cosmic rays.


Does the ozone layer protect the earth from harmful cosmic rays?

The ozone layer primarily protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, rather than cosmic rays. Cosmic rays are high-energy particles originating from outside the solar system that can penetrate Earth's atmosphere, but their interaction with the ozone layer is minimal.


Are cosmic rays dangerous to earths inhabitants?

Cosmic rays can be extremely dangerous, and exposure to them can cause genetic mutations, cancer, radiation posion, and death. Luckily, life on Earth is largely protected from these harmful effects by the Earth's atmosphere (which stops all cosmic rays with energies below 1 GeV) and the Earth's magnetic field (which deflects cosmic rays).


Is cosmic ray useful for human health?

That is a very good question. Nobody thought on this probably. Cosmic rays are in the form of microwaves. They give heat to you. They are not harmful to you. They heat up the atmosphere to very little degree. As such their usefulness can be questioned. Cosmic rays are great curiosity in astrophysics.


Do airports have xrays?

Most of them do have X-rays.


What effect does the earths magnetic field have on the intensity of cosmic rays striking the earths surface?

The Earth's magnetic field acts as a shield, deflecting charged particles (cosmic rays) away from the surface. This helps reduce the intensity of cosmic rays reaching the Earth's surface. However, cosmic rays can still penetrate the atmosphere at higher latitudes where the magnetic field is weaker.


Are cosmic rays harmful to humans?

Yes cosmic rays are known to be harmful to living organisms, owing to their potential to penetrate and damage tissue. Similar could be said for many kinds of radiation. However, statistically speaking the risk on the Earth's surface is not of significant concern; the magnetic field of Earth and the atmosphere itself provides shielding against most cosmic rays. Outside the atmosphere, astronauts are exposed to higher levels. Studies regarding the effects of the radiation environment of space were conducted as a consequence of space exploration efforts; research concluded the risk was mitigated by the brevity of exposure of astronauts during their missions.


Are the rays from the Sun harmful?

Some rays are: UV rays. Other have vitamins.


What is xrays real name?

the real name of x-rays is roentgen rays.


Where is the cosmic rays radiation located on the electromagnetic spectrum in relation to other kinds of radiation?

Cosmic rays are not part of the EM spectrum -- they are high energy charged particles.