D region

noun

1. the lowest region of the ionosphere, in which the D layer develops.

D region

noun

1. the lowest region of the ionosphere, extending from a height of about 60 kilometres to about 90 kilometres: contains a low concentration of free electrons and reflects low-frequency radio waves See also ionosphere

D region

1. The region of the atmosphere that lies in the upper mesosphere, extending from about 70 to 90 km (43 to 56 mi) above the Earth. The D region is responsible for the daytime absorption of high-frequency radio signals; at night, oxygen ions recombine with free electrons and form oxygen molecules that are transparent to such signals, which bounce off of the E region and back to Earth.
2. Also called D layer
3. Compare E region

Word History and Origins

Origin of D region¹

First recorded in 1925–30