Space is closer than you thought ~~>> have a look

WASHINGTON: Space is not as far from the Earth’s surface as people think, for scientist have discovered that the ionosphere, the layer of electrically charged particles that comprises the outer atmosphere, is thinner than expected.

Knowledge of the ionosphere helps in determining how particularly dense regions within it may distort radio, radar and navigation signals. “In order to predict how severe those distortions will be, it’s necessary to know how big those structures in the ionosphere are and where they exist,” said Roderick Heelis, of Space Sciences Centre at the University of Texas in Dallas.

Based on previous research, computer models had predicted the ionosphere to be about 595km above Earth at night and about 998km during the day, which varied due to factors like temperature. However, using the latest technology, experts found the transition between the ionosphere and space was about 402km above Earth at night and about 805km up during the day.