The mushroom cloud from a nuclear weapon test in 1952. The explosions of nuclear weapons emit large amounts of dangerous radiation.
Click on image for full size
Photo courtesy of National Nuclear Security Administration/Nevada Site Office.
Radiation is Dangerous to Humans
Radiation can be harmful to humans. Radiation can harm people directly by damaging their cells. The cells might stop functioning, or they might be unable to reproduce. Radiation can also cause cells to reproduce in an out-of-control fashion, causing cancer. It also causes radiation sickness, an ailment with various symptoms depending on the type of radiation a person was exposed to and on the size of the dose received. Radiation sickness can be fatal when high doses of radiation are involved.
Radiation can also interfere with human reproduction. It can cause sterility, making reproduction impossible. It can also cause mutations in developing embryos, which are usually detrimental or even fatal.
Astronauts must be especially careful about radiation, since radiation exposure is a constant danger in space.
We are constantly exposed to small doses of radiation from various natural sources as well as from human-caused sources such as medical and dental X-rays. Small doses of radiation are generally not especially harmful; our bodies have developed defenses that repair most damage from small doses of radiation.
You might also be interested in:
Radiation comes in two basic types: electromagnetic radiation transmitted by photons, and particle radiation consisting of electrons, protons, alpha particles, and so forth. Electromagnetic radiation,
...more
High frequency radiation or fast moving particles plow into a living cell with enough energy to knock electrons free from molecules that make up the cell. These molecules with missing electrons are called
...more
Whether or not a cell can repair itself after being damaged by radiation depends on the type of damage to the cell's DNA. Type of Damage Prospects for DNA Repair Single strand break in the DNA Can usually
...moreRadiation can be harmful to living creatures. Radiation can harm living things directly by damaging their cells. The cells might stop functioning, or they might be unable to reproduce. Radiation can also
...more
Astronauts are exposed to many different types of dangerous radiation in space. Space agencies, like NASA, must carefully monitor the radiation exposure of astronauts to make sure they remain safe and
...more
Jupiter's atmospheric environment is one of strong gravity, high pressure, strong winds, from 225 miles per hour to 1000 miles per hour, and cold temperatures of -270 degrees to +32 degrees (freezing temperature).
...more
In July, 1996, it was announced that Dr. David McKay, along with a team of scientists at Johnson Space Center (a division of NASA), had discovered possible fossils of bacteria in a meteorite named ALH84
...more
