The Van Allen radiation belts occupy a region of space that extends from just outside our atmosphere up to several Earth radii in altitude. Populated by super energetic particles trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field, these belts are of crucial importance to space-based technology and manned spaceflight. Dr. Elkington will discuss the nature and origin of the radiation belts, the potentially hazardous effects of energetic particles on satellites and astronauts, and efforts being taken today that will mitigate these hazards.

View Flier