High frequency waves in this band can be reflected back to Earth by the ionosphere layer in the atmosphere – a method known as "skip" or "skywave" propagation – these frequencies are suitable for long-distance communication across intercontinental distances. The band is used by international shortwave broadcasting stations (2.31–25.82 MHz), aviation communication, government time stations, weather stations, amateur radio and citizens band services, among other uses. The dominant means of long distance communication in this band is skywave ("skip") propagation, in which radio waves directed at an angle into the sky refract back to Earth from layers of ionized atoms in the
Atmospheric tide The latitudinal structure of the tides is described by the "horizontal structure equation" which is also called "Laplace's tidal equation": with "Laplace operator" using formula_30, formula_31 and "eigenvalue" Hence, atmospheric tides are eigenoscillations (eigenmodes)of Earth's atmosphere with eigenfunctions formula_33, called Hough functions, and eigenvalues formula_34. The latter define the "equivalent depth" formula_35 which couples the latitudinal structure of the tides with their vertical structure. Longuet-Higgins has completely solved Laplace's equations and has discovered tidal modes with negative eigenvalues ε (Figure 2). There exist two kinds of waves: class 1 waves, (sometimes called gravity waves), labelled by positive n, and class