ionosphere

noun

ion·​o·​sphere ī-ˈä-nə-ˌsfir 

: the part of the earth's atmosphere in which ionization of atmospheric gases affects the propagation of radio waves, which extends from about 30 miles (50 kilometers) to the exosphere, and which is contiguous with the upper portion of the mesosphere and the thermosphere

also : a comparable region of charged particles surrounding another celestial body (such as Venus)

ionospheric

ˌī-ˌä-nə-ˈsfir-ik 

-ˈsfer-

adjective

ionospherically

ˌī-ˌä-nə-ˈsfir-i-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈsfer-

adverb

Examples of ionosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, Caplin said that more research is needed to study the effects of these microwaves on humans, animals, plants, satellites, infrastructure, and the ionosphere. —Kat Friedrich, Ars Technica, 15 July 2024

One way this can happen is if the storm influences the structure of the ionosphere and changes the path for transmissions between navigation satellites and the ground, thereby reducing the accuracy of timing signals. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2024

That's high enough to study disturbances during a total solar eclipse in the ionosphere, a region of Earth’s atmosphere between 55 to 310 miles above the ground. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024

Solar eclipses can affect the structure and dynamics of Earth's upper atmosphere, otherwise known as the ionosphere, according to NASA. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ion or ion(ization) + -o- + -sphere

Note: The term was introduced by the British engineer and physicist Robert A. Watson-Watt (1892-1973), apparently first in an unpublished letter (November 8, 1926) to the secretary of the Radio Research Board, a government agency (see Nature, vol. 224, December 13, 1969, p. 1096). Watson-Watt used it in print in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, vol. 55 (1929), p. 278.

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ionosphere

noun

ion·​o·​sphere ī-ˈän-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r 

: the part of the earth's atmosphere beginning at an altitude of about 30 miles (50 kilometers) and extending outward that contains free electrically charged particles

ionospheric

ī-ˌän-ə-ˈsfi(ə)r-ik 

-ˈsfer-

adjective