LONG-TERM EVOLUTION OF PARTICLE FLUXES ON THE MARTIAN SURFACE: A SOLAR CYCLE OF OBSERVATIONS FROM CURIOSITY’S RAD

Kurzfassung

The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) aboard the Curiosity rover has continuously monitored energetic particles on the Martian surface since its landing on August 6, 2012. These observations provide an unprecedented record of radiation exposure that spans an entire solar cycle. Understanding the radiation environment on Mars is essential for assessing astronaut health risks and guiding the design of future crewed missions. The Martian radiation field arises from complex interactions between primary galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), solar energetic particles (SEPs), and the planet’s atmosphere and surface. These interactions generate secondary particles and create a dynamic radiation environment that varies over time. This variability is influenced by atmospheric pressure, seasonal changes,heliospheric modulation, surface topography, and subsurface properties. In this study, we analyze the extensive dataset collected by RAD over the past 12 years to examine temporal variations in particle fluxes on Mars. Our analysis includes multiple particle species and identifies long-term trends across a full solar cycle, allowing a detailed investigation of particle interactions with the Martian environment. By studying species-specific flux variations and their temporal evolution, this work improves our understanding of Mars’ complex radiation dynamics and their implications for future human exploration. These results provide important insights into radiation shielding effects, subsurface interactions, and the broader habitability of Mars, supporting its potential as a destination for sustained human presence.