Two high radiation regions surround Earth - the inner and outer Van Allen radiation belts.
Click on image for full size
Windows to the Universe
Particle Radiation
One main type of radiation, particle radiation, is the result of subatomic
particles hurtling at tremendous speeds. Protons, cosmic rays, and alpha and
beta particles
are
some
of the most common types of particle radiation.
Particle radiation can harm living creatures and can short out electronic
circuits... so it is dangerous for humans and robots alike.
Protons and electrons are two of the most common types of particles encountered.
Tear apart an atom of hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe,
and you get a proton and an electron... hence the abundance of this type of
radiation.
Strip the two electrons from the second most abundant element, helium, and
you are left with a nucleon containing two protons and two neutrons. This helium-nucleus
particle is called an "alpha particle". Free electrons, when zipping around
as radiation, are known as "beta particles". A third type, gamma
radiation,
is not a particle but rather a high-energy form of electromagnetic
radiation.
Neutrinos are bizarre particles that can pass through almost anything, even
miles (kilometers) of solid rock. Because neutrino radiation rates may be able
to tell us about the nuclear reactions at the core of the Sun, scientists have
gone to great lengths to try to devise detectors that sense these elusive particles.
There is a second main type of radiation,
which deals with the transfer of energy by waves from vibrating electric and
magnetic fields. That type of radiation is called "electromagnetic
radiation".
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
Our
online store includes
books on science education, ranging from
evolution,
classroom research, and the
need for science and math literacy!
You might also be interested in:
Electromagnetic radiation is the result of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. The wave of energy generated by such vibrations moves through space at the speed of light. And well it should... for
...more
The neutrino is an extremely light particle. It has no electric charge. The neutrino interacts through the weak force. For this reason and because it is electrically neutral, neutrino interactions with
...more
Radiation comes in two basic types: electromagnetic radiation transmitted by photons, and particle radiation consisting of electrons, protons, alpha particles, and so forth. Electromagnetic radiation,
...more
Have you ever seen the Southern or Northern Lights? Earth isn't the only planet that puts on these beautiful light shows, which are also called the "aurora". Aurora have been seen at both poles of Saturn,
...more
There is a giant magnetic "bubble" in space around the Sun. That "bubble" is called the heliosphere. In a sense, we Earthlings live within the outer atmosphere of our Sun. The solar
...moreAtoms and the tiny particles from which they are made strongly influence the world around us. The fields of atomic physics and particle physics help us understand the life cycles of stars, the forms of
...more
Earth has a magnetic field. If you imagine a gigantic bar magnet inside of Earth, you'll have a pretty good idea what Earth's magnetic field is shaped like. Of course, Earth DOESN'T have a giant bar magnet
...more
