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Glite Dictionary
aeronomy

aeronomy

9.9
The study of the upper layers of a planet's atmosphere
  • noun
  • /ˌɛəˈrɒnəmi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : aeronomía
  • The study of aeronomy helps scientists understand the interactions between solar radiation and the atmosphere.

Examples

  • The activities of the Michigan and Harvard researchers crossed paths for the first time in September 1973 at a meeting of the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA) in Kyoto, Japan.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Research in aeronomy reveals important information about the chemical processes occurring in the upper atmosphere.

  • The use of heavy-ion storage rings has contributed greatly to an improved understanding of processes in low-temperature plasmas, astrochemistry, and aeronomy.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Many discoveries in aeronomy have increased our knowledge of how atmospheric composition affects climate.

Synonyms

aerology
vsaeronomy
  • Specialized
9.9

The study of the air around the Earth, especially the upper layers

focuses specifically on physical and chemical traits of upper layers

Surface Forms

aeronomy singular
aeronomies plural

Morphology

aeronomy = aero + nomy (semi-transparent) = aero + nomy

The combining forms literally signal 'study of the air', but both elements are technical Greek forms rather than standalone words, so learners may not reliably infer the meaning.

Etymology

The word aeronomy comes from the Greek parts aero- meaning 'air' and -nomy meaning 'law' or 'study', like in aeroplane and astronomy. So aeronomy is the study of the upper air and how that part of the atmosphere behaves.