The Earth - Van Allen Belts

Diffuse Outer belt

More Dynamic Consists mainly of electrons and other charges particles emitted by the Sun -As a result of increased solar activity - This wider belt, with "horns" that dip sharply towards the Earth's magnetic poles, has an altitude of between approximately 3 and 10 Earth-radii (15,000 km - 65,000 km)

Compact Inner belt

-Consists of high-energy proton -Formed by collisions between cosmic rays and atoms in the atmosphere -Low altitude of between 0.1 and 1.5 Earth-radii (about 600 km - 10,000 km) -So prolonged exposure to radiation from the belt can pose a hazard to astronauts and scientific instruments carried by satellites.

What are the Van Allen belts?

-Two doughnut-shaped rings -Of spiralling high-energy particles -Held in place by the Earth's magnetic field *Named after James A. Van Allen - the physicist who led responsibity for the discovery