Kennelly-Heaviside layer

The Kennelly-Heaviside layer, also known as the E region or just as the Heaviside layer, named after Oliver Heaviside, is a layer of ionised gas occurring at 90-150km in above the ground — one of several layers in the Earth's ionosphere. It reflects medium-frequency radio waves, and because of this reflection radio waves can be propagated beyond the horizon.

Related Topics:
Oliver Heaviside - Ionised - Gas - Above the ground - Earth - Ionosphere - Medium-frequency - Radio wave - Reflection - Propagated - Horizon

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Propagation is affected by time of day. During the daytime the solar wind presses this layer closer to the Earth, thereby limiting how far it can reflect radio waves. On the night side of the Earth, the solar wind drags the ionosphere further away, thereby greatly increasing the range which radio waves can travel by reflection, called skywave. The extend of the effect is further influenced by the season (because of the differing distance between Earth and the Sun), and the amount of sunspot activity.

Related Topics:
Solar wind - Skywave - Season - Sunspot

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