ionospheres
Electrically active skies
Ionospheres is the plural of ionosphere, the layer of Earth's upper atmosphere where solar radiation ionizes gas molecules, creating electrically charged particles.
This region, extending roughly 50 to 600 miles above the surface, reflects radio waves and enables long-distance communication.
Other planets and moons with atmospheres also have ionospheres: Scientists study the ionospheres of Mars and Venus.
High-temperature atmospheric zone
- mesosphereAtmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- magnetosphereCelestial body's protective field
- upper atmosphereAir layer farthest up
- polar regionsEarth's coldest latitudes
plasma · exosphere · airglow · nightglow · stratification · altitude
Continuous stellar particle emission
- geomagneticOf Earth's magnetic properties
- aurora borealisHigh-latitude luminous sky phenomenon
- aurora australisAntarctic atmospheric light display
- cosmic raysEnergetic particles from beyond
solar flares · magnetic storms · orbital decay · space weather · Arecibo
Act of spreading widely
- shortwaveHigh-frequency radio band
- skywaveRadio reflected by atmosphere
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- refractionWave bending between media
amateur radio · broadcast · fadeout · blackout · radio astronomy · over-the-horizon · radar · absorption
Mythic giant or moon
- JupiterLargest solar system planet
- gas giantsPlanets of hydrogen, helium
- exoplanetsWorlds orbiting other stars
- photoionizationElectron ejection by light
habitability · astrochemistry · spectroscopy · extraterrestrial · solar system · planetary science
thermosphere
High-temperature atmospheric zone
- mesosphereAtmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- magnetosphereCelestial body's protective field
- upper atmosphereAir layer farthest up
polar regions · plasma · exosphere · airglow · nightglow · stratification · altitude
solar wind
Continuous stellar particle emission
- geomagneticOf Earth's magnetic properties
- aurora borealisHigh-latitude luminous sky phenomenon
- aurora australisAntarctic atmospheric light display
cosmic rays · solar flares · magnetic storms · orbital decay · space weather · Arecibo
propagation
Act of spreading widely
- shortwaveHigh-frequency radio band
- skywaveRadio reflected by atmosphere
- reflectionReturned light or thought
refraction · amateur radio · broadcast · fadeout · blackout · radio astronomy · over-the-horizon · radar · absorption · multipath
Titan
Mythic giant or moon
- JupiterLargest solar system planet
- gas giantsPlanets of hydrogen, helium
- exoplanetsWorlds orbiting other stars
photoionization · habitability · astrochemistry · spectroscopy · extraterrestrial · solar system · planetary science
- planetary scienceplanetary cores, planet formation, planetary formation, planetary rings, atmospheres
ionospherestropospheres
Lowest atmospheric layers
troposphere · lower atmosphere · ground level · boundary layer · sea level