At InclusiveIAS, we understand the significance of Science and Technology in the UPSC Prelims and the challenges students face in mastering this subject. To address these issues, we have launched Science Corner, a dedicated space where aspirants can access comprehensive and meticulously curated notes tailored specifically for Prelims. Our aim is to simplify complex topics, align content with the evolving exam trends, and empower aspirants with a strong foundation to tackle Science and Technology questions confidently.By bridging the gap between complexity and clarity, this initiative reflects our philosophy of making UPSC preparation inclusive, effective, and student-centric.
Van Allen Radiation Belt
- The Van Allen radiation belt is a zone of energetic charged particles, most of which originate from the solar wind.
- Located beyond low-Earth orbit, these radiation belts were discovered in 1958 by astrophysicist James Van Allen.
- The Earth’s magnetosphere traps the high energy radiation particles from solar winds, solar storms etc and shields the Earth from the solar storms and the constantly streaming solar wind that can damage technology as well as people living on Earth.
- These trapped particles form two belts of radiation, known as the Van Allen Belts, that surround the Earth like enormous donuts. The outer belt is made up of billions of high-energy particles that originate from the Sun and the inner belt results from interactions of cosmic rays with Earth’s atmosphere.
- Inner Radiation Belt is located about 600 to 6,000 kilometers (370 to 3,730 miles) above Earth’s surface.
- Inner Radiation Belt is composed primarily of high-energy protons.
- Inner Radiation Belt is believed that the protons of the inner belt originate from the decay of neutrons produced when high-energy cosmic rays from outside the solar system collide with atoms and molecules of Earth’s atmosphere.
- Inner Radiation Belt is relatively stable.
- Outer Radiation Belt is situated between 13,500 and 58,000 kilometers (8,400 to 36,000 miles) above Earth.
- The Outer Radiation Belt contains charged particles of both atmospheric and solar origin, the latter consisting largely of helium ions from the solar wind.
- The protons of the Outer Radiation Belt have much lower energies than those of the inner belt, and their fluxes are much higher.
- It primarily contains energetic electrons.
- The most energetic particles of the outer belt are electrons, whose energies reach up to several hundred million electron volts.
- It is more dynamic than the inner belt and can be influenced by solar activity such as geomagnetic storms.
- The Van Allen belts are most intense over the Equator and are effectively absent above the poles.
- The Van Allen belts are shaped and sustained by the interaction between Earth’s magnetic field and solar wind (a stream of charged particles emitted by the sun).
- The intensity and size of the belts can fluctuate, particularly in response to solar storms and cosmic events. This can cause the belts to expand and even pose a threat to satellites and astronauts.
- The Van Allen belts play an important role in protecting Earth from harmful solar and cosmic radiation by trapping these high-energy particles.
- Located in the inner region of Earth’s magnetosphere, the radiation belts endanger satellites. That’s because solar cells, integrated circuits, and sensors can be damaged by radiation.