Ionospheric physics

This work presents a systematic elaboration of the physics of the ionosphere considered as a multicomponent plasma medium. Results of observations and theoretical studies are summarized, and attention is given to results obtained with the incoherent scatter and numerical simulation methods. The effects of such factors as solar radiation, the geomagnetic field, and magnetospheric processes on the ionosphere are examined. Regular variations of ionospheric parameters in different latitude zones are examined as well as ionospheric disturbances connected with solar and geomagnetic activity.