Solar particle event dose distributions: Parameterization of dose-time profiles

• Published in: Acta astronautica 1998-08, Vol.43 (3), p.249-259
• Main Authors: Zapp, E.Neal, Ramsey, Chester R., Townsend, Lawrence W., Badhwar, Gautam D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerospace Medicine; Astronauts; Bone Marrow - radiation effects; Computer Simulation; Humans; Least-Squares Analysis; Lens, Crystalline - radiation effects; Models, Biological; Phantoms, Imaging; Protons; Radiation Dosage; Radiation Protection - statistics & numerical data; Risk Assessment; Seasons; Skin - radiation effects; Solar Activity; Space Flight; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0094-5765; 1879-2030
• DOI: 10.1016/S0094-5765(98)00158-1

Calculations of total dose and dose equivalent as a function of time since the start of the event are presented for four of the major solar particle events that occurred during the period from August to December 1989. Results are presented for exposures to the skin, ocular lens and bone marrow shielded by a nominal thickness of aluminum shielding, comparable to that provided by a spacesuit. The calculated curves of organ dose and dose equivalent versus time are parameterized using a Weibull functional form for the fitting equation. The fitting parameters are determined using least squares regression techniques. These results provide a useful starting point for the development of methods to predict the cumulative doses and times to reach various dose limits from a limited number of dose measurements early in a solar particle event.