What about solar radiation on the planets surface?
Hello,
Imagine an X-class solar flare "erupting" on the sun, its deadly particles directed towards Mars.
Mars is literally a sitting duck. There is nothing (magnetosphere) to shield the surface from this blast. Most life, as we know it would not survive.
Radiation doses are a still huge concern and most likely always will be for those who travel to and traverse Mars (until we understand and can "change" planetary dynamics - a few thousand years?).
I have attached a link to a paper entitled "Space Weather on Mars."
http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast01may_1.pdf
There are lots of good links at the end of the article as well.
Anybody seen my radiation suit?
See ya, VINCE