Regions of charged particles in a magnetosphere; the belts contain ions and electrons.

Regions of the magnetosphere roughly 1.2 to 6 earth radii above the equator in which charged particles are stably trapped by closed geomagnetic field lines. There are two belts. The inner belt is part of the plasmasphere and corotates with earth. The outer belt extends on to the magnetopause on the sunward side (10 earth radii under normal quiet conditions) and to about 6 earth radii on the nightside. The radiation belts are often called the "Van Allen radiation belt" because the were discovered in 1968 by J.A. Van Allen.

Zones or belts of charged particles that are trapped in magnetic fields around the Earth. [More Info

Regions of of high-energy particles traped by the magnetic influence of the Earth. These belts are sometimes called "Van Allen" belts because of their discovery in 1958 by Professor J.A. Van Allen. Radiation belts are composed of electrons, protons, and smaller numbers of other ions.

In a planet's magnetosphere, regions with a high density of trapped solar wind particles.

(Also called Van Allen radiation belts.) Belts of energetic electrons, protons, and heavier ions encircling the earth and trapped in the geomagnetic field. The radiation belts are characterized by intense fluxes of high-energy radiation, creating a dangerous environment for spacecraft. The particle density and energy spectrum, as well as the physical characteristics of the belts, depend on the level of solar activity.