Fig. 3: Galactic cosmic rays are qualitatively different from X-rays or gamma-rays. | npj Microgravity

Fig. 3: Galactic cosmic rays are qualitatively different from X-rays or gamma-rays.

From: Red risks for a journey to the red planet: The highest priority human health risks for a mission to Mars

Fig. 3

a HZE ions produce dense ionization along the particle track as they traverse a tissue and impart distinct patterns of DNA damage compared to terrestrial radiation such as X-rays. γH2AX foci (green) illuminate distinct patterns of DNA double-strand breaks in nuclei of human fibroblast cells after exposure to b gamma-rays, with diffuse damage, and c HZE ions with single tracks. Image credits: NASA (a) and Cucinotta and Durante97 (b and c).

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