The first step we are going to take to know the meaning of the term ionosphere is to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can establish that it derives from Greek, since it is the result of the sum of two lexical components of said language:
-The element "ion", which is the present participle of the verb "ienai" and which can be translated as "that goes."
-The noun "sphaira", which is synonymous with "sphere" and "globe".
The notion of ionosphere is used in the field of meteorology to refer to the atmospheric layer that is located above 80 kilometers in altitude . The term can also be mentioned as ionosphere , with an accent on the E.
It should be remembered that the Earth's atmosphere is made up of the gases that surround our planet. Depending on the height, it is possible to recognize different strata.
The main characteristic of the ionosphere is that, due to solar radiation , it registers a marked ionization . This means that in it the molecules become ions : atoms that acquire an electrical charge by gaining or losing electrons.
Due to ionization, the ionosphere affects the diffusion of radio waves. When a wave is emitted into the atmosphere and reaches the ionosphere, a portion of the energy is absorbed by the air that is ionized, while the remaining energy is refracted back toward the Earth's surface.
Although the details vary according to specialists, in general it is considered that the layer begins between 80 and 90 km of altitude and extends to at least 400 km . Its upper sector can be confused with the beginning of the magnetosphere (or magnetosphere ), where the Earth 's magnetism exerts a determining influence on the ionized particles.
In addition to all of the above, we have to establish that scientifically it is said that the ionosphere has three layers or regions that respond to the following names:
-Region D. We can establish that this is the lowest layer and reaches altitudes that are between 70 and 90 kilometers. It is interesting to know that it has a peculiarity when night comes and that is that its electrons disappear almost entirely.
-Region E. This layer must be indicated that it is the one that is located between 90 and 160 kilometers of altitude. Likewise, it is interesting to know that it is also known by the name of the Kennelly-Heaviside layer in honor of the engineer and physicist who discovered it: Arthur Kennelly and Oliver Heaviside. In their case, the electrons do not disappear when night falls, but a reduction in ionization does occur.
-Region F, which is the one located at 160 kilometers altitude. Its electrons remain during the night and during the day two layers are perceived within it: F1 and F2.
It is important to mention that, in some sources, the idea of ionosphere appears as a synonym for thermosphere . In other documents, the ionosphere and magnetosphere are included as divisions of the thermosphere. In any case, after the ionosphere or thermosphere appears the exosphere , the last layer of the atmosphere and the limit between the Earth and outer space.