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sporadic E
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sporadic E

atmospheric science
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Quick Summary

Sporadic E, or Es, refers to an irregularly occurring layer of ionization within the E region of the ionosphere. The ionosphere is a layer of Earth's upper atmosphere, roughly 50 to 400 kilometers (30 to 250 miles) above the surface, that is ionized by solar radiation. This ionization affects radio wave propagation by reflecting or refracting them back to Earth, extending transmission range. While the E region typically exists around 110 kilometers (68 miles) high and can reflect radio waves for several hours after sunset, sporadic E layers appear unpredictably. These layers are significant in atmospheric science due to their irregular nature and impact on radio communications.12

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. sporadic E layer
  2. radio technology - The ionosphere
  3. Köppen climate classification

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