![]() The equation for the magnetic field of a dipole with respect to the radius was found to be Thus the first task was to create a model of the magnetic field of the dipole. This means a model of a dipole will be generally accurate for our purposes. This model is a very basic assumption and ignores the effects of the solar wind on Earth’s magnetosphere, however the area where the Van Allen Belts are present does not get severely effected by these factors except in extreme circumstances. Now with some research I found that the Earth’s field could be generally modeled as a magnetic dipole oriented with the south end pointed in the positive z direction. The initial task of modeling the magnetic field of the Earth was necessary to define the locations of the Belts with specific field lines that would be seen in the vector plot. Unfortunately, this also marks the point where my project strayed away from modeling the Van Allen Belts to a more general modeling of the Earth’s magnetic field. With this background information established, the information needed to created valid assumptions was gained. The constant supply of particles from the solar wind however means that the belt has plenty of material to be created from, though its dependence on solar wind particles means that its intensity fluctuates proportionally with solar wind activity. Due to the weaker magnetic field at that distance from Earth, the zone is tenuous and loses its particles very quickly. The outer belt ranges from 20,000 km to 40,000 km from the Earth’s surface and consists primarily of the ions and electrons that make up the solar wind. While it gains high energy particles at a comparatively slow rate, it holds onto the particles for an extended period of time and reaches a much higher intensity than the other belt. Of the two belts, it is the most stable due to the higher magnitude of the magnetic field lines at that proximity to the Earth. ![]() ![]() ![]() It is made up primarily of high energy protons created during cosmic ray interactions with the atmosphere. The inner belt is compact ranging only from 1,700 km to 13,000 km above the Earth’s surface. The constituent particles and stability of the belts however depends on the location.and thus the strength of the magnetic field. This bouncing between the hemispheres establishes the permanent belts. Since the magnetic field is stronger as you get closer to Earth however the particles will stop and eventually reverse their motion as they approach the poles. Thus “sliding” begins to occur the particles gain a spiral trajectory during which they orbit the field lines while vertically moving along them. It attempts to make the particles rotate about the lines rather than allowing them to continue drifting in a straight line. As they interact with our magnetic field lines, a force is exerted and influences their direction of motion. All of these particles are electrically charged and thus their motion becomes highly constrained as they pass through our magnetic field or magnetosphere. The particles of these regions include fast moving electrons,and ions from the solar wind along with protons and other remnants of cosmic ray interactions with our atmosphere.
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