Van Allen Belts

The Van Allen Belts are zones of energetic charged particles, mainly electrons and protons, trapped by Earth's magnetic field. These belts surround our planet at altitudes of around 1,000 to 60,000 kilometers and act as a protective barrier against solar radiation. They were discovered in 1958 by the Explorer 1 and 3 satellites. While they pose hazards to spacecraft and satellites passing through, they also demonstrate Earth's magnetic influence. Understanding these belts helps scientists design better space missions and protect technology in space.