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Lew Gramer: "Re: Introduction" (Jul 8, 14:43):
> What distinguishes the neutrosphere from the ionosphere? The degree to
which
> atmospheric gases are ionized? By what? Meteor infall? Cosmic radiation?
Solar
> wind? Also, how does the level of the ionosphere relate to changes in
Earth's
> magnetic field and the associated radiation belts?
>
Main sources of ionization are the shortwave radioation of sun, particle
radiation of sun and cosmic radiation. Solar UV-radioation is important
source of ionization in the upmost part of the atmosphere, but little
hard UV-radiation penetrates below, say, a hundred kilometers, except
within a small window at the Lyman-alpha wavelenght (the UV-radiation
reaching ozone layer is not considered hard, it has longer wavelenght
and smaller ionization potential). Particle radiation is the cause of
aurora and it penetrates below a hundred kilometers especially during
strong solar disturbances. Cosmic radiation is stable source of very
energetic (shortwave) electromagnetic rays and also penetrates below 100
kilometers. If you want specific information about which types are
most important at different altitudes, I can check it out from my
masters thesis as soon as I get back home (after a week). Sorry, but
can't remember then exactly, I've been working on completely different
things since graduation.
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