> The Earth isn't surrounded by lead, but we are still protected from the radiation.
A thick atmosphere accomplishes roughly the same effect as a few feet of lead. A magnetic field could deflect incoming charged particles, but I'm not sure if a "shield" is feasible, due to any side effects that such a magnet might have.
I was under the impression that the Earth's magnetic field was doing the majority of the work. IIRC, the reason that Mars has no atmosphere is probably due to lack of a (or just a weakened) magnetic field, causing solar winds to strip away the atmosphere.
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> The Earth isn't surrounded by lead, but we are still protected from the radiation.
A thick atmosphere accomplishes roughly the same effect as a few feet of lead. A magnetic field could deflect incoming charged particles, but I'm not sure if a "shield" is feasible, due to any side effects that such a magnet might have.
I was under the impression that the Earth's magnetic field was doing the majority of the work. IIRC, the reason that Mars has no atmosphere is probably due to lack of a (or just a weakened) magnetic field, causing solar winds to strip away the atmosphere.