| Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) are the predominant source of highly energetic particles in the inner heliosphere during solar quiet times. These particles are fully ionized atoms that are accelerated to near-relativistic speeds during events of extreme energy release throughout the Milky Way Galaxy and beyond. Some GCR particles eventually find their way to the outer edges of the heliosphere and a portion of those are able to propagate to 1 AU. GCR have sufficient energy to ionize atoms and molecules in the matter that they impact, causing radiation damage to both robotic and biologic materials. Understanding the flux and spectrum of GCR is of great importance to future robotic and human explorers venturing beyond low-Earth orbit.;In this dissertation, we use the Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER) instrument along with modeling efforts to study a variety of phenomena that can influence the energetic particle flux in the near-Moon environment, including Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections (ICMEs), Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs) and the Earth's magnetotail. As part of this study, the CRaTER instrument and its calibration are discussed in detail.;A new model is developed to better predict the transit times of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections and the associated drops in GCR flux called Forbush decreases. This model could provide a more accurate estimate of an ICME's arrival time within hours of ejection from the Sun. An important model discrepancy is resolved by using the CRaTER instrument to measure GCR while the Moon is in the Earth's magnetotail. Previous studies that predicted shielding of GCR by the magnetotail are disproven; we find no evidence for a drop in GCR, intensity as a result of passage through the magnetotail.;We use the CRaTER instrument to investigate step-like durable decreases in GCR flux with time. We find that these decreases occurred when CIRs convected past the observing spacecraft shortly after solar minimum, presumably caused by the more effective shielding provided by the outward propagating magnetic structures. A change in the proton linear energy transfer spectrum is observed in conjunction with the GCR flux decrease. |
