Earth and the Environment

Where do the particles of the Van Allen radiation belts originate from?

Link to this answer

CloseClose

Link to this answer

Share this credible answer with others. Simply paste this code into your blog or Web page:

<a href="http://qanda.encyclopedia.com/question/do-particles-van-allen-radiation-belts-originate-229737.html" >Where do the particles of the Van Allen radiation belts originate from?</a>
E-mail this answer Link to this answer

These particles are believed to originate in periodic solar flares. Carried by the solar wind, they become trapped by the earth's magnetic field and are responsible for the aurora borealis seen at polar regions.

Answer verified with
Get more facts and information about Van Allen radiation belts . Or, view the full encyclopedia entry from The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.

Similar questions: What source generates the particles that make up the Van Allen radiation belts? The particles that make up the Van Allen radiation belts are generated from what source? [ Hide these questions ]

Related research questions

Related research articles

Big northern lights: What's the trigger? NASA launches satellites Friday to...
Newspaper article from: The Christian Science Monitor ...energetic particles that can...operators do a better...Substorms originate on the nightside...appear to originate in the Van Allen radiation belts, which encircle...energy that particles carry as...radiation belt is far greater...
See all results at HighBeam

HighBeam gives you access to newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles plus press releases, facts, information, and biographies from thousands of sources.