plasmasphere

American  

[plaz-muh-sfeer] / ˈplæz məˌsfɪər /

noun

Astronomy.

1. a region of cool plasma surrounding the earth, extending 8000–25,000 miles (13,000–40,000 km) into space, and bounded by the plasmapause.

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Etymology

Origin of plasmasphere

First recorded in 1965–70; plasma + -sphere

Example Sentences

During the May 2024 superstorm, it happened to be in an ideal position to record the severe compression of the plasmasphere and the long, slow recovery that followed.

From Science Daily • Nov. 23, 2025

The plasmasphere works with Earth's magnetic field to help block harmful charged particles from the Sun and deep space, offering natural protection for satellites and other technology.

From Science Daily • Nov. 23, 2025

These results provide a clearer understanding of how the plasmasphere changes during a severe solar storm and how energy moves through this region of space.

From Science Daily • Nov. 23, 2025

This reduces oxygen ions that help create hydrogen particles needed to restore the plasmasphere.

From Science Daily • Nov. 23, 2025

And, since there was no ozonosphere to block out the UV radiation from the primary, the thickness of the ionosphere beneath the plasmasphere was greater.

From Unwise Child by Garrett, Randall