THEMIS satellite sees a great electron escape
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - 08:03
in Astronomy & Space
(PhysOrg.com) -- When scientists discovered two great swaths of radiation encircling Earth in the 1950s, it spawned over-the-top fears about "killer electrons" and space radiation effects on Earthlings. The fears were soon quieted: the radiation doesn't reach Earth, though it can affect satellites and humans moving through the belts. Nevertheless, many mysteries about the belts now known as the Van Allen Radiation belts remain to this day.