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Cited by 42Planetary Science and ExplorationRadiation Therapy and DosimetryRadiation Effects in Electronics

Comparison of Martian surface ionizing radiation measurements from MSL-RAD with Badhwar-O'Neill 2011/HZETRN model calculations

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Kim, Myung‐Hee Y., Cucinotta, Francis A., Nounu, Hatem N., Zeitlin, Cary, Hassler, Donald M., Rafkin, Scot C. R., Wimmer‐Schweingruber, Robert F., Ehresmann, Bent +12 more·2014·Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
DOI 10.1002/2013je004549
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Abstract

Abstract Dose rate measurements from Mars Science Laboratory‐radiation assessment detector (MSL‐RAD) for 300 sols on Mars are compared to simulation results using the Badhwar‐O'Neill 2011 galactic cosmic ray (GCR) environment model and the high‐charge and energy transport (HZETRN) code. For the nuclear interactions of primary GCR through Mars atmosphere and Curiosity rover, the quantum multiple scattering theory of nuclear fragmentation is used. Daily atmospheric pressure is measured at Gale Crater by the MSL Rover Environmental Monitoring Station. Particles impinging on top of the Martian atmosphere reach RAD after traversing varying depths of atmosphere that depend on the slant angles, and the model accounts for shielding of the RAD “E” detector (used for dosimetry) by the rest of the instrument. Simulation of average dose rate is in good agreement with RAD measurements for the first 200 sols and reproduces the observed variation of surface dose rate with changing heliospheric conditions and atmospheric pressure. Model results agree less well between sols 200 and 300 due to subtleties in the changing heliospheric conditions. It also suggests that the average contributions of albedo particles (charge number Z < 3) from Martian regolith comprise about 10% and 42% of the average daily point dose and dose equivalent, respectively. Neutron contributions to tissue‐averaged effective doses will be reduced compared to point dose equivalent estimates because a large portion of the neutron point dose is due to low‐energy neutrons with energies <1 MeV, which do not penetrate efficiently to deep‐seated tissues. However the exposures from neutrons to humans on Mars should become an important consideration in radiobiology research and risk assessment.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1002/2013je004549

Cites

38 of 38 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

4 of 32 cited sources checked · 2 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Findingcitation

    The simulated total dose rates using Badhwar-O'Neill 2011 and HZETRN reproduce the observed variation of surface dose rate with changing heliospheric conditions and atmospheric pressure.

    “reproduces the observed variation of surface dose rate with changing heliospheric conditions and atmospheric pressure [Rafkin et al., 2014].”
    • Also stated in: § 8. Summary and Conclusion · plain
      “with the simulations reproducing the observed variation of surface dose rate with changing heliospheric conditions and atmospheric pressure.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Rafkin et al., 2014 source

      The Summary and Conclusion (page unavailable) reports that measured surface dose rates vary with atmospheric pressure and that this effect is qualitatively consistent with scaled model results. The Data Analysis section also identifies heliospheric variability as a signal in the dose measurements. But the paper does not show that total-dose simulations using Badhwar–O’Neill 2011 and HZETRN reproduce the observed variation under both changing heliospheric conditions and atmospheric pressure. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Findingown data

    The simulation reproduces the observed variation of surface dose rate with changing heliospheric conditions and atmospheric pressure.

    “Simulation of average dose rate is in good agreement with RAD measurements for the first 200 sols and reproduces the observed variation of surface dose rate with changing heliospheric conditions and atmospheric pressure.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The shielding by other RAD components (three Si detectors and two thin windows) is negligible compared to the shielding provided by the atmosphere and other detectors.
  • Findingown data

    Simulation of average dose rate is in good agreement with RAD measurements for the first 200 sols.

    “Simulation of average dose rate is in good agreement with RAD measurements for the first 200 sols and reproduces the observed variation of surface dose rate with changing heliospheric conditions and atmospheric pressure.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The shielding by other RAD components (three Si detectors and two thin windows) is negligible compared to the shielding provided by the atmosphere and other detectors.
  • Findingown data

    Average contributions of albedo particles (charge number Z < 3) from Martian regolith comprise about 42% of the average daily dose equivalent.

    “It also suggests that the average contributions of albedo particles (charge number Z < 3) from Martian regolith comprise about 10% and 42% of the average daily point dose and dose equivalent, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The shielding by other RAD components (three Si detectors and two thin windows) is negligible compared to the shielding provided by the atmosphere and other detectors.
  • Findingreasoning

    Model results agree less well between sols 200 and 300.

    “Model results agree less well between sols 200 and 300 due to subtleties in the changing heliospheric conditions.”
    • Also stated in: § 7. Dose and Dose Equivalent on Martian Surface · plain
      “model results agree less well between sols 200 and 300”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The shielding by other RAD components (three Si detectors and two thin windows) is negligible compared to the shielding provided by the atmosphere and other detectors.
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 20
  • May combine two claims. 7

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The recent solar minimum is by far the deepest minimum since space-based measurements began.

    “which is by far the deepest minimum since space-based measurements began [Mewaldt et al., 2010].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Mewaldt et al., 2010 source

      The Introduction describes the 2008–2010 minimum as prolonged, with unusually weak magnetic fields, and the Summary reports record cosmic-ray intensities relative to earlier space-era minima. The paper does not establish that the solar minimum itself was “by far the deepest” since space-based measurements began; its record-setting comparison concerns cosmic-ray intensities. (LLM, conf=0.84)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The atmosphere of Mars attenuates the intensity of the heavy ion component of the primary GCR but increases the fluence of secondary particles (neutrons, and hydrogen and helium isotopes) because of particle production processes in nuclear interactions.

    “The atmosphere of Mars attenuates the intensity of the heavy ion component of the primary GCR but increases the fluence of secondary particles (neutrons, and hydrogen and helium isotopes) because of particle production processes in nuclear interactions [Cucinotta et al., 2007].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cucinotta et al., 2007 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The QMSFRG model is shown to be in excellent agreement with available experimental data for nuclear fragmentation cross sections.

    “The QMSFRG model is shown to be in excellent agreement with available experimental data for nuclear fragmentation cross sections [Cucinotta et al., 2007].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cucinotta et al., 2007 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    The resultant average GCR dose equivalent rate on the Mars surface is 0.72 ± 0.02 mSv/sol from the simulation, compared to 0.66 ± 0.10 mSv/sol from combining the tissue dose-rate measurement with <Q> measurement by the RAD.

    “The resultant average GCR dose equivalent rate on the Mars surface is 0.72 ± 0.02 mSv/sol from the simulation, compared to 0.66 ± 0.10 mSv/sol from combining the tissue dose-rate measurement with <Q> measurement by the RAD [Hassler et al., 2014].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hassler et al., 2014 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The albedo contributions peak at atmospheric depths between 50 and 150 g/cm2 and are nearly constant in that range.

    “atmospheric depths between 50 and 150 g/cm 2 , and are nearly constant in that range.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The mean values of the albedo contribution at the RAD detector comprise 10% of the dose and 42% of the dose equivalent.

    “values of the albedo contribution at the RAD detector comprise 10% of the dose and 42% of the dose equivalent”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Large health risks from space radiation are a limitation to the number of days astronauts could be exposed to galactic cosmic rays for interplanetary missions.

    “The large health risks from space radiation are a limitation to the number of days astronauts could be exposed to galactic cosmic rays (GCR) for interplanetary missions”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cucinotta et al., 2013a

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Cucinotta et al., 2013b

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    In the current simulation, any effects of the GCR dose rate due to short-term heliospheric structure variability due to solar activity and rotation are not included.

    “In the current simulation, any effects of the GCR dose rate due to short-term heliospheric structure variability due to solar activity and rotation are not included.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Parker [1965] showed that the steady-state, spherically symmetric Fokker-Planck equation accurately accounts for diffusion, convection, and adiabatic deceleration of these particles.

    “Parker [1965] showed that the steady-state, spherically symmetric Fokker-Planck equation accurately accounts for diffusion, convection, and adiabatic deceleration of these particles.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Parker, 1965 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    Such gamma rays increase absorbed doses by a few percent.

    “but such gamma rays increase absorbed doses by a few percent and should be investigated.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Neutrons produced in the rover have not been included in the calculation.

    “Also, the contributions of neutrons produced in the rover have not been included at this time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The less good agreement between sols 200 and 300 is thought to be due to subtleties in the changing heliospheric conditions which are not adequately modeled using the modulation parameter (Φ).

    “which is thought to be due to subtleties in the changing heliospheric conditions which are not adequately modeled using the modulation parameter (Φ).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The most recent model BO'11 utilizes a large number of GCR measurements from 1955 to 2012, spanning solar cycle 19 to 24 including the recent solar minimum.

    “The most recent model of BO'11 [O'Neill and Foster, 2013] utilizes a large number of GCR measurements from 1955 to 2012, spanning solar cycle 19 to 24 including the recent solar minimum”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites O'Neill and Foster, 2013

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Particles produced in the shielding provided by the rover and by those components in the geometry of the RAD instrument were not modeled.

    “We have not modeled particles produced in the shielding provided by the rover and by those components in the geometry of the RAD instrument, which should be considerations for future investigations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Atmospheric pressure has been measured by the MSL Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS).

    “The atmospheric pressure has been measured by the MSL Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) [Gómez-Elvira et al., 2012].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Gómez-Elvira et al., 2012

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Badhwar and O'Neill [1992] developed a self-consistent solution to the Fokker-Plank equation for particle transport in the heliosphere that has been fit to available GCR data.

    “Badhwar and O'Neill [1992] developed a self-consistent solution to the Fokker-Plank equation for particle transport in the heliosphere that has been fit to available GCR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Badhwar and O'Neill, 1992 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    High-energy, highly penetrating particles that generate albedo particles are largely unaffected by changing heliospheric conditions, so their contribution remains nearly constant.

    “The high-energy, highly penetrating particles that generate albedo particles are largely unaffected by the changing heliospheric conditions; hence, their contribution remains nearly constant.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The intensity of the GCR flux varies over the approximately 11 year solar cycle due to changes in the interplanetary plasma that originates in the expanding solar corona.

    “The intensity of the GCR flux varies over the approximately 11 year solar cycle due to changes in the interplanetary plasma that originates in the expanding solar corona [Babcock, 1961;Badhwar and O'Neill, 1992].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Babcock, 1961 source
    • cites Badhwar and O'Neill, 1992 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The present results provide the first step in validating accurate estimates of organ dose, and the resultant biological risks can be made to evaluate radiation shielding requirements for varying space scenarios using the NSCR-2012 model.

    “The present results provide the first step in validating accurate estimates of organ dose, and the resultant biological risks can be made to evaluate radiation shielding requirements for varying space scenarios using the NASA's space radiation evaluation tool, the NSCR-2012 model [Cucinotta et al., 2013a[Cucinotta et al., , 2013b]].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cucinotta et al., 2013a

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Cucinotta et al., 2013b

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Inter-comparisons of some radiation transport codes using matched configurations and environments have showed very good agreement.

    “Inter-comparisons of some radiation transport codes using matched configurations and environments have showed very good agreement [Heinbockel et al., 2011a[Heinbockel et al., , 2011b]].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Heinbockel et al., 2011a

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Heinbockel et al., 2011b

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The solar modulation parameter has been derived directly from the sunspot number, with propagation delay taken into account, to determine the modulated GCR flux.

    “The solar modulation parameter has been derived directly from the sunspot number, with propagation delay taken into account, to determine the modulated GCR flux [O'Neill and Foster, 2013].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites O'Neill and Foster, 2013

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Dose contributions from gamma rays produced by albedo neutrons have not been estimated.

    “Dose contributions from gamma rays produced by albedo neutrons have not been estimated.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Previous comparisons of transport models to dosimetry measurements show agreement to within ±15% for dose and dose equivalent on the International Space Station or in transit to Mars.

    “Previous comparisons of transport models to dosimetry measurements show agreement to within ±15% for dose and dose equivalent on the International Space Station [Cucinotta et al., 2008] or in transit to Mars [Zeitlin et al., 2013].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cucinotta et al., 2008 source
    • cites Zeitlin et al., 2013 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Radiation transport codes have been validated by extensive comparisons to measurements, and they have been combined with detailed descriptions of the space environment to enable accurate simulations behind spacecraft shielding or on planetary surfaces.

    “radiation transport codes have been validated by extensive comparisons to measurements, and they have been combined with detailed descriptions of the space environment to enable accurate simulations behind spacecraft shielding or on planetary surfaces [Cucinotta et al., 2011;Kim et al., 2012].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cucinotta et al., 2011 source
    • cites Kim et al., 2012 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Sunspot number is well correlated with many observable quantities to indicate the temporal variation of solar modulation of GCR.

    “sunspot number is well correlated with many observable quantities to indicate the temporal variation of solar modulation of GCR [Kim et al., 2006].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kim et al., 2006 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Gamma ray contribution to dose equivalent is likely to be small because of their low quality factors.

    “Their contribution to dose equivalent is likely to be small because of their low quality factors”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
26 of 26

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The shielding by other RAD components (three Si detectors and two thin windows) is negligible compared to the shielding provided by the atmosphere and other detectors.

    “The shielding by other components, including three 300 micron thick Si detectors, and two very thin windows is not modeled; these pieces are negligible compared to the shielding provided by the atmosphere and other detectors.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No comparisons of radiation models to Martian surface measurements were possible prior to Curiosity's landing.

    “no comparisons were possible prior to the successful landing of Curiosity on Mars.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    RAD E-detector is insensitive to neutrons with energies below about 5 MeV.

    “RAD E-detector is insensitive to neutrons with energies below about 5 MeV.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    NSCR-2012 incorporates the computational models used herein.

    “The NSCR-2012 incorporates the computational models used herein”
4 of 4

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Authors
Kim, M. Y., Cucinotta, F. A., Nounu, H. N., Zeitlin, C., Hassler, D. M., Rafkin, S. C. R., Wimmer‐Schweingruber, R. F., Ehresmann, B., Brinza, D. E., Böttcher, S., Böhm, E., Burmeister, S., Guo, J., Köhler, J., Martin, C., Reitz, G., Posner, A., Gómez‐Elvira, J., Harri, A., & the MSL Science Team
Affiliations
  • Wyle (United States) (US)
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas (US)
  • Southwest Research Institute (US)
  • Christian Albrechts University Kiel Germany
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory (US)
  • Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (DE)
  • Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR) (DE)
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US)
  • Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
  • Finnish Meteorological Institute (FI)
Corresponding author
Kim, Myung‐Hee Y.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Published
2014-06
Volume
119
Issue
6
Pages
1311-1321
ISSN
  • 2169-9097 (ISSN-L)
  • 2169-9100
DOI
10.1002/2013je004549
OpenAlex
W2156168145
Cited by
42
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2
FWCI
3.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 16 d)
Locations
  • Journal of Geophysical Research Planets (publishedVersion)
  • DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion)
  • elib (German Aerospace Center) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (50QM1201, 50QM0501, 1273039)
  • California Institute of Technology
  • Southwest Research Institute
  • Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (50QM0501, 50QM1201)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory (1273039)
  • Langley Research Center
  • Johnson Space Center
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • NASA Headquarters
  • Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Radiation Effects in Electronics
Keywords
galactic cosmic rays, HZETRN, radiation dose rate, atmospheric pressure dependence, neutron dose, dose equivalent, nuclear fragmentation, Gale Crater, Curiosity rover, Martian regolith

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