Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere acts as an insulator keeping a healthy temperature, so that we earth doesn't get too hot or cold. This is called the greenhouse effect. The insulation or blanket effect helps to shape the earth’s weather.The atmosphere is divided into 6 main layers; Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Ionosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere. The atmosphere contains 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen. The atmosphere contains other gases as well.
Troposphere
This the first layer of the atmosphere. It is the closest to the ground and is heated by the earth’s surface. We live in the troposphere. The troposphere is 20 km high. The troposphere contains 80% of the atmosphere’s mass
Stratosphere
The stratosphere contains the ozone layer. The temperature changes in the stratosphere by the amount of absorption of UV radiation. The temperature gets hotter the higher you go. When you send a weather balloon up into the sky it will go as high as the stratosphere before returning. The stratosphere stretches 50km from the Earth’s surface.
Mesosphere
The mesosphere extends for the next 85km, past the stratosphere. Most meteors burn up when they enter the mesosphere which causes there to be creators on the earth’s surface. The temperature at the top of the mesosphere is the coldest place on Earth at -120°C 24/7. Temperatures in the lower mesosphere are steadier and warmer. Scientists don’t know a whole lot about the mesosphere because it is hard to study. They don’t know a lot about it because jet planes and weather balloons can’t go past the stratosphere and other scientific instruments get caught in the Earth’s orbit.
Ionosphere
The ionosphere is the next layer after the mesosphere. This layer extends 690kms out from Earth. The ionosphere is so thin that it’s considered to be the start of outer space. The ionosphere gets it’s name from the energetic particles that are created within this layer. The particles are called ions; they make an electrical layer that repels radio transmission and enables the radio communications to travel across the oceans before we had satellite communications. These ions create the northern and southern lights called auroras
Thermosphere
The Thermosphere extends 1000 kms from the mesosphere. The Thermosphere is a very thin layer and the temperature can become extremely hot. In lower parts of the layer temperatures remain steady. When you exceed 85 kms into the thermosphere the temperature increases rapidly.
Exosphere
The exosphere is the last layer of the atmosphere. It is very thin fragile layer and it get solar wind and solar storms. When the sun is calm this layer expands. The Exosphere extends 10,000 kms from the surface of the Earth then fades out into space
Ozone layer
This layer protects the Earth by absorbing the damaging ultra violet rays. It is located in the stratosphere. The Ozone layer is important because it screens us from UV radiation that would kill all living things.
Troposphere
This the first layer of the atmosphere. It is the closest to the ground and is heated by the earth’s surface. We live in the troposphere. The troposphere is 20 km high. The troposphere contains 80% of the atmosphere’s mass
Stratosphere
The stratosphere contains the ozone layer. The temperature changes in the stratosphere by the amount of absorption of UV radiation. The temperature gets hotter the higher you go. When you send a weather balloon up into the sky it will go as high as the stratosphere before returning. The stratosphere stretches 50km from the Earth’s surface.
Mesosphere
The mesosphere extends for the next 85km, past the stratosphere. Most meteors burn up when they enter the mesosphere which causes there to be creators on the earth’s surface. The temperature at the top of the mesosphere is the coldest place on Earth at -120°C 24/7. Temperatures in the lower mesosphere are steadier and warmer. Scientists don’t know a whole lot about the mesosphere because it is hard to study. They don’t know a lot about it because jet planes and weather balloons can’t go past the stratosphere and other scientific instruments get caught in the Earth’s orbit.
Ionosphere
The ionosphere is the next layer after the mesosphere. This layer extends 690kms out from Earth. The ionosphere is so thin that it’s considered to be the start of outer space. The ionosphere gets it’s name from the energetic particles that are created within this layer. The particles are called ions; they make an electrical layer that repels radio transmission and enables the radio communications to travel across the oceans before we had satellite communications. These ions create the northern and southern lights called auroras
Thermosphere
The Thermosphere extends 1000 kms from the mesosphere. The Thermosphere is a very thin layer and the temperature can become extremely hot. In lower parts of the layer temperatures remain steady. When you exceed 85 kms into the thermosphere the temperature increases rapidly.
Exosphere
The exosphere is the last layer of the atmosphere. It is very thin fragile layer and it get solar wind and solar storms. When the sun is calm this layer expands. The Exosphere extends 10,000 kms from the surface of the Earth then fades out into space
Ozone layer
This layer protects the Earth by absorbing the damaging ultra violet rays. It is located in the stratosphere. The Ozone layer is important because it screens us from UV radiation that would kill all living things.