If solar flares pose a danger to orbiting spacecraft and astronauts, how much warning is there for the danger?
A) The danger is primarily from emission of neutrinos, which move at just below the speed of light; hence the warning is only a few seconds after a feature is observed.
B) There is no warning; the radiation arrives at the same time as the feature is observed because they all travel at the speed of light.
C) The primary danger is from high energy particles that travel at the speed of the solar wind 500km/s, so there is ample warning of 3- 5 days.
D) The danger is from high energy particles moving thousands of km per second, so the warning is a few hours.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The primary danger from solar flares to spacecraft and astronauts comes from high-energy particles (such as protons) that are carried by the solar wind. These particles travel much slower than the speed of light, approximately 500 km/s, allowing for a warning time of about 3-5 days before they reach Earth. This gives time to take protective measures.

If Solar Flares Pose a Danger to Orbiting Spacecraft and Astronauts