Galactic Cosmic Radiation

Galactic cosmic radiation comes from outside the solar system. It is composed of ionized particles traveling at extremely high speeds. The Earth?s magnetic field shields us from the majority of this radiation, and even low orbit flights or space stations would be protected from it by the Earth?s magnetic field. In cases where a craft leaves the Earth?s magnetic field, however, (the Apollo missions to the Moon, for example) this radiation becomes a significant factor.

Bodies like these (particularly stars) are the source of galactic cosmic radiation. This picture shows over 1500 galaxies, all emitting particles that could potentially contribute to GCR in our solar system.