"Skywave" can refer to a few different concepts depending on the context: 1. **Radio Propagation**: In the context of radio communications, "skywave" refers to a type of radio wave propagation that occurs when radio waves are reflected back to Earth by the ionosphere. This allows radio signals to travel long distances beyond the horizon, making long-distance communication possible, particularly for AM radio frequencies.
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A skywave is a radio wave returned toward Earth through interaction with the ionosphere. In a smoothly varying plasma, the ray can bend continuously through refraction before returning: there need be no sharp material surface at the apparent point of reflection. Different frequencies, launch directions and wave polarizations can have different paths and losses.