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How to Calculate Background Radiation

Background radiation can refer to any kind of radiation that is ambient to the environment around us. It consists of radiation generated from all sources. There is a detectable amount of ionizing radiation that comes from local sources as well as the ultraviolet radiation that comes from the sun. These are two of the most prevalent sources of background radiation. There is also the cosmic microwave background radiation, most likely radiation generated by the big bang, is generally uniform and ubiquitous. You will need to consider all of these sources when calculating the overall background radiation.

Things You'll Need

Broad frequency radiation detector.

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the type of background radiation you want to measure. There are various types.
- 2
  Set up the radiation detector. There are many different types of detectors just as there are many different types of radiation. Each type of radiation has a specific frequency associated with it. Set up your detector with a frequency range encompassing the type of radiation you wish to measure. If you wish to measure them all, set the frequency range of the detector to cover as large as a value as possible.
- 3
  Eliminate extraneous radiation sources. For example, if you want to measure the background ultraviolet radiation, you will have to do so at night, as the sun will mess up your measurement. Also If you are measuring microwave radiation, you will need to avoid any sort of equipment that uses radar. Basically find out what can cause the radiation you are looking for, and avoid it.
- 4
  Optimize conditions. Make sure that you are in a position to measure properly the background radiation of the type you want to measure. The best conditions are often rural and high up in the mountains. Cities and technology have certain types of radiation associated with them and can cause interference. Also make sure that once you set the detector you don't move it until a test is done. Longer tests also help.
- 5
  Read the data. The graph of the radiation data should show occasional spikes as well as a low steady non-zero amount of radiation. If it doesn't then your detector is probably not sensitive enough. That
  
  non-zero steady level is the amount of background radiation you have at that location.
- 6
  Take multiple measurements. You will need to set up your detector at least one other locations near where you took the initial measure. This extra data will help you verify your results.

Astronomy