Author: Wg Cdr Rajagopal

Ionosphere is a certain layer in our atmosphere that has a profound impact on Radio Navigation and Communication. In our earlier lessons, we had learnt about the various layers like Mesosphere Thermosphere and Exosphere. HEIGHT OF IONOSPHERE The upper part of stratosphere contains a zone called the ionosphere. Here, we have a large concentration of free ions and therefore high ionization levels. This layer refracts radio waves back to Earth. The refraction is maximum at roughly between 100 to 160 Kilometre over the earth’s surface. Another high ionisation layer is…

Earlier we had learnt about Stratosphere and Stratopause. The layers above the stratopause like Mesosphere, Mesopause, Thermosphere and the Exosphere do not have much impact on Civil Aviation Meteorology. MESOSPHERE AND MESOPAUSE Above the stratopause we can find a much colder layer, where the temperature again starts decreasing with increasing height. This layer is called the Mesosphere. It usually extends about 80 or 90 kilometres above the Earth’s surface. At the top of this layer, we can encounter some of the coolest temperatures, as low as minus 180 degrees Celsius.…

Having discussed the Breaks in the Tropopause we shall now look at the next layer in the atmosphere called the stratosphere. The stratosphere extends from the tropopause up to about 50 kilometres above the Earth’s surface. TEMPERATURE IN STRATOSPHERE The temperature structure of the stratosphere is dominated by the presence of ozone. Ozone is formed when solar radiation splits oxygen into its two individual atoms. These free atoms combine to form the gas called ozone. This process releases energy into the surrounding air and therefore heats up the part of…