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Geomagnetic fields trap charged solar wind particles in doughnut-shaped zones. The figure is taken from NASA Science, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

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Earth is encircled by two energetic Van Allen radiation belts

Geomagnetic fields trap charged solar wind particles in doughnut-shaped zones

Discovered by America's first satellite in 1958, the Van Allen radiation belts are two concentric zones of high-energy charged particles surrounding Earth. Trapped by Earth's magnetic field, these energetic electrons and protons shield the atmosphere while posing radiation hazards to satellites and space missions.

Where this comes from

NASA Science

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Tags: van allen, radiation, magnetosphere

Earth is encircled by two energetic Van Allen radiation belts: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: Geomagnetic fields trap charged solar wind particles in doughnut-shaped zones. The figure is taken from NASA Science, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a space fact?: Yes. It sits on the Space shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.