One of the layers of the atmosphere that protects us is the ionosphereIt is a region containing a large number of electrically charged atoms and molecules. These charged particles are created by radiation coming from outer space, primarily from our star, the Sun. This radiation strikes the neutral atoms and air molecules in the atmosphere, ultimately charging them with electricity. The ionosphere is of great importance to humans, especially for its functions related to communication and protection from dangerous radiation from outer space, and for this reason, we are going to dedicate this entire post to it.
We are going to explain everything you need to know about the characteristics, operation and importance of the ionosphere.
Key features
While the Sun is shining continuously, during its activity it is generating a large amount of electromagnetic radiation. This radiation falls on the layers of our planet, charging the atoms and molecules with electricity. Once all the particles are charged, a layer forms that we call the ionosphere. This layer is located between the mesosphere, the thermosphere and the exosphere. This configuration is essential to understanding the importance of the ionosphere for humans.
You can roughly see that it begins at an altitude of about 50 km above the Earth's surface. Although it begins at this altitude, it becomes most complete and significant above 80 km. In the regions we find ourselves in the upper parts of the ionosphere, we can see hundreds of kilometers above the surface and extend tens of thousands of kilometers into space. We find what we call the magnetosphere. The magnetosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that we call this because of its behavior due to the terrestrial magnetic field and the Sun's action on it. The relationship between the ionosphere and the magnetosphere reinforces the importance of this layer for life on our planet.
The ionosphere and the magnetosphere are related by the charges of the particles. One has electrical charges and the other has magnetic charges.
Layers of the ionosphere
As we have mentioned before, although the ionosphere begins at 50 km, it has different layers depending on the concentration and composition of the ions that form it. Previously, the ionosphere was thought to be made up of several different layers that were identified by the letters D, E, and F. The F layer was divided into two more detailed regions which were F1 and F2. Today, more knowledge is available of the ionosphere thanks to the development of technology and it is known that these layers are not very different. However, in order not to make people dizzy, the original scheme that was had in the beginning is maintained.
Let's analyze the different layers of the ionosphere, piece by piece, to see their composition and importance in detail, as well as the role they play in the propagation of radio waves.
Region D
It is the lowest part of the entire ionosphere. It reaches altitudes of between 70 and 90 km. Region D has different characteristics from regions E and F. This is because its free electrons disappear almost completely during the night. They usually disappear because they combine with oxygen ions to form oxygen molecules that are electrically neutral. The dynamics of this process highlight the importance of each layer in protecting our planet.
Region E
This is the layer also known as Kennekky-Heaviside. This name has been given in honor of the American engineer Arthur E. Kennelly and the English physicist Oliver Heaviside. This layer extends more or less from 90 km, where layer D ends up to 160 km. It has a clear difference from the D region: ionization persists throughout the night. It's worth mentioning that it also decreases significantly, making its study essential for understanding the ionosphere.
Region F
It has an approximate altitude from 160 km to the end. It is the part that has the highest concentration of free electrons since it is the closest to the sun. Therefore, it perceives more radiation. Its degree of ionization does not have much change during the night, since there is a change in the distribution of the ions. During the day we can see two layers: a smaller layer that is known as F1 that is higher up, and another highly ionized dominant layer that is known as F2. During the night both are fused at the level of the F2 layer, which is known as Appleton.
Role and importance of the ionosphere
For many, having a layer of the atmosphere that is electrically charged may not mean anything. However, the ionosphere is of great importance for the development of humanity. For example, thanks to this layer we can propagate radio waves to different places on the planet. We can also send the signals between the satellites and the Earth. This further reinforces the importance of the ionosphere in modern communications, as without it, maintaining global connectivity would be difficult.
One of the most important reasons why the ionosphere is essential for humans is because it protects us from dangerous radiation from outer space. Thanks to the ionosphere, we can observe unique natural phenomena such as aurora boreal, a visual spectacle that's not only beautiful but also indicates solar activity. Similarly, the ionosphere protects our planet from celestial rock masses entering the atmosphere. The thermosphere helps protect us and regulate Earth's temperature by absorbing some of the UV radiation and X-rays emitted by the Sun. Meanwhile, the exosphere is the first line of defense between the planet and the sun's rays.
The temperatures in this much-needed layer are extremely high. At some points we can find 1.500 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, apart from being impossible to live in, it would burn any human body passing by. This is what causes many of the meteorites that hit our planet to disintegrate and form shooting stars. When these rocks come into contact with the ionosphere and the high temperature it experiences in some places, we find the object becoming somewhat incandescent and surrounded by fire until it finally disintegrates.
It really is a very necessary layer for human life to develop as we know it today. For this reason, it is important to know her more thoroughly and study her behavior, since we could not live without her.
