ICON Illustration (IMAGE) NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Caption Charged particles in Earth's atmosphere, which make up the ionosphere, create bands of color above Earth's surface, known as airglow. ICON, depicted in this artist's concept, will study the ionosphere from a height of about 350 miles to understand how the combined effects of terrestrial weather and space weather influence this ionized layer of particles. Credit NASA Goddard's Conceptual Image Lab/B. Monroe Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.