Energetic particles in space and earth science: propagation, interaction, and atmospheric effects

Abstract

Energetic particles, originating from galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), solar energetic particles (SEPs), and trapped radiation belt populations, play a crucial role in shaping planetary environments. These high-energy protons, electrons, and heavy ions traverse the heliosphere, interact with interplanetary magnetic fields, and produce complex cascades when colliding with Earth’s atmosphere. This paper combines theoretical modeling, Monte Carlo–inspired GEANT4-like yield tables, and simulation of Bethe–Bloch stopping power to investigate energetic particle propagation, atmospheric ionization, and implications for space weather. Our findings reveal that density-effect corrections and shell corrections significantly alter proton energy loss curves, while GEANT4-like lookup yields realistic ionization profiles vs altitude. These results advance predictive models of radiation hazards, ionospheric variability, and space weather event