Absorption of hydromagnetic waves in the ionosphere

Absorption of hydromagnetic waves in the ionosphere propagated normal to the magnetic field is calculated at various frequencies and compared with the absorption for parallel propagation. Data corresponding to both daytime and nighttime ionospheres are used. Waves propagated normal to the magnetic field are highly absorbed through the daytime ionosphere at frequencies above a few Hz; the nighttime ionosphere, however, is virtually transparent to waves in the frequency range of 10−3 to 20 Hz. A comparison of the absorption processes for waves propagated parallel and normal to the magnetic field is made.