Space Weather Vocabulary

noun the part of the Earth's atmosphere that contains a high concentration of ions and free electrons, and is able to reflect radio waves

• The ionosphere is a region of the Earth's upper atmosphere, from about 30 miles to 600 miles above the surface, containing a high concentration of ions.
• Scientists study the ionosphere to understand how it affects radio communications and GPS signals.
• I heard that the ionosphere can mess with your cell phone reception sometimes.
• Just like the ionosphere reflects radio waves, sometimes we need to reflect on our actions before making decisions.

noun the branch of science that deals with the upper atmosphere, especially with reference to its weather and climate

• Aeronomy is the study of the upper atmosphere and the ionosphere.
• I find aeronomy to be a fascinating field of study.
• Some people think aeronomy is just a bunch of hot air.
• In the world of aeronomy, ideas and theories float like clouds in the sky.