Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
ionosphere \ionosphere\ n.
the outer region of the earth's atmosphere, beyond which is
the exosphere; it contains a high concentration of free
electrons and ions, and extends from about 50 miles to about
250 miles above the earth's surface, but the height shows
daily and seasonal variation, and the composition of the
particles in the ionosphere is also affected by events such
as solar flares.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]