How many meters of regolith are theoretically needed to significantly shield subsurface materials from cosmic radiation?
Answer
A few meters
While the surface of an asteroid is lethally exposed to intense, unfiltered cosmic rays and solar radiation, the material beneath the surface acts as an effective shield. It is theorized that only a relatively shallow layer, specifically a few meters of overlying regolith (rocky debris), is sufficient to attenuate this radiation significantly. This protection makes the subsurface environment the most plausible location for any extant or dormant life, as it stabilizes conditions enough to prevent the rapid breakdown of complex organic molecules that characterizes the irradiated surface.
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