Which icy moon is specifically highlighted as having radiation levels tolerable for humans?
Answer
Callisto
The outer solar system icy moons, particularly Jupiter’s Galilean moons, offer vast quantities of water ice, which is a major asset for habitability. However, moons like Europa and Ganymede are problematic because they are caught within Jupiter's intense radiation belts, receiving doses far too high for human tolerance. Callisto is specifically identified as the exception among these large moons. Because it orbits farther away from Jupiter, its background radiation levels are significantly lower, dropping to approximately $0.01$ rem/day, a dose considered tolerable for long-term human exposure, making it a more viable target for surface operations than its closer siblings.
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