Van Allen radiation belts

The Van Allen radiation belts are two regions of charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field, located in the atmosphere surrounding our planet. Formed by solar wind and cosmic rays, these belts consist mainly of electrons and protons. They extend from about 1,000 kilometers to over 60,000 kilometers above the Earth's surface. While they play a vital role in protecting the planet from harmful radiation, they can also pose risks to satellites and astronauts, as the high-energy particles can interfere with electronic systems and human health during space missions.