The Longitudinal Properties of the Ionosphere and Their Effects on Space Weather

Near-Earth space weather is largely due to structure in the ionospheric density and electric currents flowing in the upper atmosphere. The steep plasma gradients and ionospheric irregularities affect a range of communication and navigation operational systems that depend on radio waves being reflected off, or transmitted through, the ionosphere. Electrical currents flowing in the upper atmosphere also induce currents in power lines and can burn out transformers.