A composite image of passenger airplane flying by solar eclipse.
getty
Are airline passengers at risk from radiation in the form of galactic cosmic rays and occasional solar flares? Yes, says a new study published in Scientific Reports, but it advises against the aviation industry taking any drastic action.
Amid a steady stream of galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles raining down on planes, the higher altitude and latitude of flights, the higher radiation doses for crew and passengers.
That brings into play space tourism as well as aviation.
Since a large solar flare can cause double the annual exposure limit, action needs to be taken. The remedy is for planes to lower their altitude or change or cancel flight paths altogether.
That significantly raises expenses for airlines. Is it worth it? No, says the new research from Kyoto University, Japan, which indicates that the frequency of major solar flares that would cause a problem…
