Two principal zones of high intensity radiation surrounding Earth within the magnetosphere; named after their discovered.

The belt of radiation around the Earth that shields us from harmful rays emitted by the Sun.

Belts of solar wind particles and cosmic rays that surround the Earth, trapped by Earth's magnetic field.

bands of radiation trapped in Earth's magnetic field, which both absorb ambient deep-space radiation and provide protection for Earth's surface, and are a hazard for satellites and humans operating within them

Two doughnut-shaped zones of radiation about the Earth, concentrated at altitudes of 3,000 and 10,000 miles; named after James A. Van Allen who instrumented the satellite Explorer I. The belts contain charged particles generated by solar flares and trapped by the Earth's magnetic field.

See radiation belts.