This image shows how different types of solar radiation (x-rays to infrared radiation) penetrate into the Earth's atmosphere. It is this solar radiation that ionizes the upper atmosphere, creating the ionosphere.
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Windows to the Universe original image
The Sun's Effect on the Ionosphere
The
ionosphere is an invisible region found in the
Earth's atmosphere. When the Sun is
more active, the ionosphere is thicker.
So things like flares and coronal mass ejections will make the ionosphere thicker!
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