A Lookup Table To Compute High Energy Cosmic Ray Effects on Terrestrial Atmospheric Chemistry
Author
Thomas, Brian C., Melott, Adrian L., Atri, Dimitra, and Krejci, Alex J.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
A variety of events such as gamma-ray and supernovae may expose the Earth to an increased flux of high-energy cosmic rays, with potentially important effects on the biosphere. Existing atmospheric chemistry software does not have the capability of incorporating the effects of substantial cosmic ray flux above 10 GeV. An atmospheric code, the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center two-dimensional (latitude, altitude) time-dependent atmospheric model (NGSFC), is used to study atmospheric chemistry changes. We have created a table that, with the use of the NGSFC code, can be used to simulate the effects of high energy cosmic rays (10 GeV - 1 PeV) ionizing the atmosphere. By interpolation, the table can be used to generate values for other uses which depend upon atmospheric energy deposition by ensembles of high-energy cosmic rays. We discuss the table, its use, weaknesses, and strengths.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
The Economics Of Alternative Energy And Perspectives For A 21st Century Energy Policy
Haines, James; Kaad, J. D.; Weigand, Robert A.For the use of fossil fuels to decline, there will have to be greater reliance upon alternative sources of electricity. We compare capital and operating costs of the major alternative electricity sources (hydroelectric, ... -
Atmospheric Consequences of Cosmic Ray Variability in the Extragalactic Shock Model
Murray, Michael J., Melott, Adrian L., Krejci, Alex J., Medvedev, Mikhail V., Wilson, Graham W., and Murray, Michael J.It has been suggested that galactic shock asymmetry induced by our galaxy's infall toward the Virgo Cluster may be a source of periodicity in cosmic ray exposure as the solar system oscillates normal to the galactic plane, ... -
Wind Power: It's The Right Thing to Do
Siehndel, Ray D.; Miller, ChrisThis paper examines a number of considerations, problems, solutions and costs associated with wind power. The legal, social and environmental positives outweigh the negatives that result in the conclusion of "why would ...