What are the Van Allen radiation belts primarily composed of?

The Van Allen radiation belts are primarily composed of charged particles, predominantly electrons and protons, which are trapped by Earth's magnetic field. These charged particles originate mainly from the solar wind, as well as cosmic rays, and they are held in place within two distinct regions around the planet. Understanding that these belts consist of energetic particles is crucial because they can have significant effects on satellites and space missions, as well as contribute to the phenomenon of auroras when they interact with Earth's atmosphere. This detailed knowledge of the composition helps illustrate the dynamic nature of Earth's magnetosphere and its interactions with solar phenomena.