Jicamarca Radio Observatory—Advancing Space Weather Science

Roughly 80–1,000 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, extreme ultraviolet radiation from the sun separates electrons from atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, creating a highly ionized plasma environment that hosts unique space weather phenomena. For example, at night when solar radiation decreases, low-density pockets of ions near the equator can form so-called equatorial plasma bubbles that are known to disturb radio and satellite communications.