New radiation detector could protect frequent flyers from cosmic rays.
Astronomers have used low-cost radiation detectors to begin mapping the radiation environment over African skies, in the first steps to protect the safety of airline crews flying over that continent. Cosmic rays coming from ultrapowerful sources in the distant universe can pose risks to humans on Earth — particularly frequent air travelers, who are routinely exposed at the high altitudes of commercial flights. The only effective remedy is to limit exposure. The governments of the United States and Europe have mandated safety standards that limit the total exposure that airline crews can accumulate in their lifetimes.