You shouldn't have misconceptions about science...

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·19 hours ago

원본 (Korean)

Translation + Context

FT = ForbiddenTome — tap to see Korean slang explained

[metadata/article compilation - no direct translation needed]

The Arctic route is the shortest route from Korea to the US, but the problem is that route passes through the region where Earth's ozone layer is thinnest, so while flying that route you get hit with cosmic radiation straight up. Normally radiation and stuff is protected by the ozone layer, but the Arctic route has a thin ozone layer so it doesn't get that protection. In reality, flight attendants who fly that route are getting cancer, so they're getting it recognized as work-related injuries too.

Saw a post on floo about cosmic radiation and the Arctic route...

Spotted some scientific misconceptions, so I'm posting a correction.

It's true that the Arctic has higher cosmic radiation penetration, but the reason given in the original post—that the ozone layer is thinner—is wrong.

Cosmic radiation isn't blocked by the ozone layer, but by Earth's magnetic field (Van Allen belts).

The Arctic is where Earth's magnetic field lines enter, so cosmic radiation follows these field lines and penetrates more heavily there than other regions.

Think of it like this: the Arctic acts like the south pole of a magnet where field lines loop back in, so cosmic radiation travels along these field lines and penetrates more densely.

As we know, the ozone layer mainly blocks UV rays,

while the magnetic layer protects us from cosmic radiation and high-energy solar particles.

The original post had good content, but if users remember the incorrect parts, it could be misleading later,

so I'm making this correction.

14 comments

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Either way, the North is dangerous, right? Down with North Korea

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That Kim Jong-un asshole

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To the North! Livin'~~ beautiful Merry Merry real kindness everyone

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North Korea's radiation risk is possible

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North only! Forward north!

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So is the South Pole relatively weaker in cosmic radiation compared to other regions?

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Wouldn't it be the same? The South Pole also has concentrated field lines

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When they said it moves toward the S pole, I thought everything entering the South Pole also goes to the North Pole

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It's less about N or S pole and more about the angle with the field lines—the force is determined by the cross product of velocity and magnetic direction, so if parallel, there's no effect

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The South Pole is the same, except there's no actual flight route over it

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That's not right. The post above was written with only the North Pole in mind for more intuitive understanding, so it says 'cosmic radiation travels along field lines,' but technically, cosmic radiation travels along any field lines. It's like a two-way highway. But if you look at the diagram, the equator's roads are formed far from and flat relative to Earth, while the South and North Poles have roads formed close to and perpendicular to Earth, so think of cosmic radiation and particles as gyro-dropping and falling vertically into Earth. In conclusion, the South Pole also has massive cosmic radiation penetration

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Knowledge appreciation

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Wait, magnets attract radiation? That's scary

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Technically it's ionized particles from cosmic rays...

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So magnetic bracelets actually work then

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Ah, so that's why polar bears...

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This hits different when you realize how many 'facts' people confidently share at dinner that are completely wrong 😅

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Living in such a dangerous place, polar bears be careful

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But the atmosphere blocks it, so ground level is fine—polar bears probably worry more about floo posts

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That Earth magnetic field diagram is kinda hot

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Literally looks like that thing you see when you're doing doggy style

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Airplanes are wrapped in aluminum panels, so does it penetrate?

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Aluminum can shield against alpha and beta radiation, but gamma rays—the highest energy—can't be shielded. Like in movies, lead is the metal that can shield up to gamma rays. So remember that airplane fuselages block some radiation but not all

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I'm curious—alpha and beta rays are charged particles, so I get why they're deflected by magnetic fields, but they can't penetrate metal. Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves, so why would there be more in the Arctic?

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Let me rephrase the question: Alpha and beta rays are blocked by airplane aluminum, and gamma rays aren't significantly affected by magnetic fields, so there's no reason for more in the Arctic. So why do Arctic planes get more radiation exposure? The answer is: the culprits aren't alpha, beta, or gamma—it's secondary particles (muons, neutrons, etc.) created when cosmic rays hit the atmosphere. These are almost impossible to block, so think of it this way: more alpha/beta reaches the Arctic → more secondary particles generated → more radiation exposure

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North

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So you're saying the top hole is relatively the weakest?

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The image is kinda suggestive though

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Wow, there are two holes

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okay but the real question is why do people get SO defensive when you correct them about science stuff

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Just saying 'because N to S pole' feels like it'll spread another misconception