Ask A Scientist© Astronomy Archive

Author:      cary chien

I hear that the rays on the Moon are so lethal that astronauts have to wear
a space suit so they are not burned.  So why does not the American flag they
stick on the Moon, burn up?  The flag is not wearing a protective suit.  

Response #:  1 of 1
Author:      hawley
The "burning" is this case is from cosmic rays and gamma radiation, both of
which "burn" in the radiation sense of the word.  Of course, the primary
reason astronauts wear spacesuits on the Moon is to protect against the
vacuum of outer space-- the Moon has virtually no atmosphere.