Ionosféra

The ionosphere is a region of Earth's upper atmosphere, approximately 60 to 1,000 kilometers (37 to 621 miles) above sea level. It is characterized by the presence of ionized gases, meaning atoms and molecules that have lost or gained electrons. This ionization is primarily caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation and X-rays from the Sun.

The ionosphere plays a crucial role in radio communication. It reflects radio waves, allowing them to travel long distances around the Earth's curvature. Different layers within the ionosphere, such as the D, E, and F layers, have varying degrees of ionization and affect radio waves at different frequencies. For instance, the D layer absorbs most medium and high-frequency radio waves during the day, while the E and F layers reflect them.

The structure and density of the ionosphere are not static. They vary significantly with time of day, season, solar activity, and geographic location. During periods of intense solar activity, such as solar flares, the ionosphere can become highly disturbed, leading to disruptions in radio communications and satellite operations. Auroras, the Northern and Southern Lights, are also a visible manifestation of the interaction between charged particles from the Sun and the Earth's ionosphere.