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Van Allen belts
Intermediate
Charged particles trapped in Earth's magnetosphere.
Charged particles are trapped in Earth's magnetosphere, bouncing between poles in two belts at roughly 1000–6000 km and 13,000–60,000 km altitude. They are hazards to spacecraft.
Discovered in 1958 by Explorer 1.
Intensity varies with solar activity.
In more detail
The Van Allen belts are regions of charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field. They consist of inner and outer belts, shaped by the field and solar activity.
Real-world uses
- Satellites are designed to withstand radiation in the belts.
- Mission planners route spacecraft to avoid high-radiation regions.
- Satellite engineers design spacecraft to withstand radiation in the Van Allen belts, which trap energetic particles.
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Frequently asked questions
Are the belts dangerous?
Yes for unshielded spacecraft and astronauts, so missions plan carefully.
How were they discovered?
They were found in 1958 by James Van Allen's team, using data from the Explorer 1 satellite.
What are the Van Allen belts?
Two doughnut-shaped regions of trapped charged particles held in place by Earth's magnetic field.
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