THE EARTHS ATMOSPHERE:

Atmospheric Layers






These layers are the
troposphere,
the stratosphere,
the mesosphere,
and the thermosphere.
Lets find out where these layers
are located in relation to the
Earths surface and how they
are affected by temperature.
Troposphere
The
troposphere is
the lowest layer
of the
atmosphere that
lies next to the
Earths surface.

Troposphere
Most of the
air that
makes up
the
atmosphere
is found in
the
troposphere.

Troposphere
It extends to about
14 kilometers
above the Earth
and is where
virtually all weather
takes place.
Troposphere
As you move up
into the
troposphere the
temperature
decreases.
At the top of this
layer the air
temperature is
about - 60C
(-76 F).


Stratosphere
The
stratosphere
begins at the
top of the
troposphere
(14 km/
9 miles) and
extends to
about 50
kilometers (31
miles) above
the surface of
the Earth.
Stratosphere
As you move up
into the
stratosphere the
air temperature
actually
increases.
Stratosphere
This occurs because
of ozone.
Ozone is a gas that
absorbs solar
radiation and releases
it as heat.
The stratospheric or
"good" ozone protects
life on Earth from the
sun's harmful
ultraviolet (UV) rays.


Stratosphere
The ozone
layer/
ozonosphere
is located at
the bottom of
the
stratosphere.
Mesosphere
The mesosphere
begins at about 50
kilometers (31 miles)
above the Earths
surface and extends
to 80 kilometers (50
miles).

Mesosphere
As you move up into
the mesosphere, the
air temperature
decreases.
Temperatures at the
top of this layer can
drop to -90C
(- 130F ).


Mesosphere
Interestingly, this
layer also protects the
Earth.
Meteoroids entering
Earths atmosphere
usually burn up in the
mesosphere.


Thermosphere
The
thermosphere
is the
outermost layer
of the Earths
atmosphere.

Thermosphere
It begins at 80 km (50 miles) above
the Earth and extends outward into
space.
Sometimes the thermosphere and
exosphere are listed as separate
layers.



Thermosphere
The higher you move
in this layer, the
higher the
temperature.
Temperatures in the
thermosphere can
reach 1,800C
(3,300F)!
Thermosphere
The beautiful colors of
the aurora borealis or
northern lights occur
in this atmospheric
layer.

Thermosphere
This is
also
where the
space
shuttle
orbits the
Earth!

Thermosphere
Thermosphere
The ionosphere is found at the bottom of
the thermosphere (close to the
mesosphere).
The exosphere is located at the top of the
thermosphere.

The Earths Atmosphere: Atmospheric Layers
Earths atmosphere is made up of layers that have distinct characteristics. These layers are the
troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere. Lets find out where
these layers are located in relation to the Earths surface and how they are affected by
temperature.
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere that lies next to the Earths surface. Most
of the air that makes up the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. It extends to about 14
kilometers above the Earth and is where virtually all weather takes place. As you move up into
the troposphere the temperature decreases. At the top of this layer the air temperature is about -
60C.
The stratosphere begins at the top of the troposphere and extends to about 50 kilometers above
the surface of the Earth. As you move up into the stratosphere the air temperature actually
increases. This occurs because of ozone. Ozone is a gas that absorbs solar radiation and
releases it as heat.
The mesosphere begins at about 50 kilometers above the Earths surface and extends to 80
kilometers. As you move up into the mesosphere, the air temperature decreases. Temperatures
at the top of this layer can drop to -90C. Interestingly, this layer also protects the Earth.
Meteoroids entering Earths atmosphere usually burn up in the mesosphere.
The thermosphere is the outermost layer of the Earths atmosphere. It begins at 80 kilometers
above the Earth and extends outward into space. The higher you move in this layer, the higher
the temperature. Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach 1,800C! The beautiful colors of
the aurora borealis or northern lights occur in this atmospheric layer. This is also where the space
shuttle orbits the Earth!