Shields Up?

One of the thorniest questions relating to interplanetary travel, or even long-term residence on the moon, is danger to astronauts from radiation. I've often wondered why magnetic fields could not be used to protect astronauts in the same way that Earth's magnetic field protects us. Well, maybe the answer is—they can. A group of British scientists is working on a plan to create a magnetic field 20-30 km around a spacecraft or moonbase, and then fill that space with ionized gas (plasma). The plasma would slow incoming particles and reduce the hazard.

We're getting awfully close to Star Trek technology here.

Read the full story at Technovelgy.com.