Visual phenomena noted by human subjects on exposure to neutrons of energies less than 25 million electron volts.
Six subjects reported multiple starlike flashes and short streaks on exposure to neutrons of energies up to 25 million electron volts. The probable mechanism is interaction with the retinal rods by proton recoils and by alpha particles released from neutron reactions with carbon and oxygen. These observations are similar to light flashes and streaks seen by astronauts who are exposed to high-energy cosmic rays on translunar flight.
D000512:Alpha Particles; D006801:Humans; D009502:Neutrons; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception