Astro*Dictionary
by Michael Erlewine

1 article for
"E-region"

Also called Kennelly-Heaviside Layer, ionospheric region that generally extends from an altitude of 90 km (60 miles) to about 160 km (100 miles). As in the D-region (70–90 km), the ionization is primarily molecular, resulting from the splitting of neutral molecules –oxygen (O₂) and nitrogen (N₂)– into electrons and positively charged molecules. Unlike that of the D-region, the ionization of the E-region remains at night, though it is considerably diminished.

 

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♦ Earth, Atmosphere of