Ionosphere


The ionosphere is a region of the Earth's upper atmosphere, extending from about 60 km to 1,000 km altitude, where a high concentration of ions and free electrons exists. It plays a crucial role in radio communication and navigation systems, as it reflects and refracts radio waves back to the Earth's surface. The ionosphere is also affected by solar activity, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can cause disturbances in the ionospheric plasma and affect radio communication and navigation systems. Understanding the ionosphere and its behavior is important for the development and operation of space-based technologies, such as satellites and the Global Positioning System (GPS).


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