Radiation Belts
Radiation belts are regions of high-energy charged particles, mainly protons and electrons, that are trapped by the Earth's magnetic field. The two main radiation belts are the Van Allen radiation belts, which are located between 1000 and 60,000 kilometers above the Earth's surface. These belts were discovered in 1958 by James Van Allen using data from the Explorer 1 satellite. The radiation belts can pose a threat to spacecraft and astronauts, as the high-energy particles can damage electronic equipment and harm living tissue. The intensity of the radiation belts can vary depending on solar activity and other factors. Understanding the behavior of the radiation belts is important for designing spacecraft and protecting astronauts during space missions.
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