2006-09-15 07:15:05 · 7 answers · asked by jmj 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The Van Allen Radiation Belt is a torus of energetic charged particles (plasma) around Earth, trapped by Earth's magnetic field. The Van Allen belts are closely related to the polar aurora where particles strike the upper atmosphere and fluoresce.
The presence of a radiation belt had been theorized by Nicholas Christofilos prior to the Space Age and was confirmed by the Explorer I on January 31, 1958 and Explorer III missions, under Doctor James Van Allen. The trapped radiation was first mapped out by Explorer IV and Pioneer III. The release of fluorohydrocarbons in the upper atmosphere causes a selective absorption of alpha particles in that space. A conglomeration of such (invisible) clouds are called pseudo Van-Allen belts and are 1x10^(-9) lower than the real Van-Allen belts. Recently, the NSF funded 2 competing proposals to study these belts and their effect on the amount of radiation that enters the inner atmosphere of the earth.
2006-09-15 07:23:03 · answer #1 · answered by lufen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Van allen radiation belt is basically a lot of energetic charged particles around Earth, trapped by Earth's magnetic field. The Van Allen belts are closely related to the polar aurora where particles strike the upper atmosphere and fluoresce.
2006-09-15 14:25:53 · answer #2 · answered by Amna Z 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Van Allen's belt is a protective layer that is present around the earth. This layer protects our planet from the harmful cosmic radiations. Whenever a space craft leaves this belt, the astronaut inside the capsule will become tan dark or like a person exposed to severe heat.
2006-09-16 12:18:10 · answer #3 · answered by s s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to what lufen says it is also a magnetic belt that helps us and animals navigate aswell as it has the unique properties to protect us from anti- matter as the two tend to cancell each other our rather violently Gorbalizer
2006-09-15 14:43:44 · answer #4 · answered by gorbalizer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they Are Radiaiton belts In Space- Im not sure...
2006-09-15 14:22:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a belt a radiation orbiting the Earth and it is only dangerous if you stay in it too long
2006-09-15 16:05:32 · answer #6 · answered by hkyboy96 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here ya go:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Allen_radiation_belt
2006-09-15 14:22:44 · answer #7 · answered by sparticle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋