This is an image of the sunrise from space over the South China Sea. An astronaut would see something like this; clearly defined bands of color through the atmosphere as the sun rises. The brightness of the colors in the atmosphere in this photograph is due to the amount of dust in the atmosphere. Earth’s Atmosphere

This image shows the average temperature profile through the Earth's atmosphere.

To Santa: MORE TOY ELEPHANTS!

Layers of the Atmosphere: The atmosphere surrounds Earth and protects us by blocking out dangerous rays from the sun. The atmosphere is a mixture of gases that becomes thinner until it gradually reaches space. It is composed of Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), and other gases (1%). Also, it contains dust and salt, which is important for the formation of clouds.

The atmosphere is divided into five layers. It is thickest near the surface and thins out with height until it eventually merges with space.atmosphere

1. The Troposphere The lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere. Temperature decreases as height increases (3.6 degrees/1000 ft). Most dense (due to compaction of molecules). Around the equator, the height is about 16 km. air is slightly unstable.unstable ALL WEATHER occurs in the Earth's troposphere!!! 0 – 11 miles up.

This is an image of the clouds in the Earth's troposphere.

2. The Stratosphere Altitude of 50 km. (11 miles to 30 miles). On Earth, ozone causes the increasing temperature in the stratosphere. Ozone is concentrated around an altitude of 25 kilometers. The ozone molecules absorb dangerous kinds of sunlight, which heats the air around them.ozone Many jet aircrafts fly in the stratosphere because it is very stable.stratosphere

If ozone is decreased, it can cause: Skin cancer Skin cancer Eye cataracts Eye cataracts Sun burning Sun burning Suppression of the human immune system. Suppression of the human immune system. Adverse impact on crops and animals due to the increase of UV radiation Adverse impact on crops and animals due to the increase of UV radiation A reduction of ocean phytoplankton. A reduction of ocean phytoplankton.

This is a picture, taken from an airplane, of stratospheric clouds.

3. The Mesosphere Temperature decreases with altitude. (30 – 55 miles) The atmosphere reaches its coldest temperature of around -100°C in the mesosphere. Air pressure decreases. Does not have a lot of oxygen (at this level our brain would be oxygen-starved called hypoxia. This is also the layer in which a lot of meteors burn up while entering the Earth's atmosphere.

4. The Thermosphere 55 – 80 miles up. The “warm layer.” This is due to the O molecules absorbing solar rays, heating the air. When the sun is active, the thermosphere can heat up to 2,000°C or higher! includes the region of the atmosphere called the ionosphere. The ionosphere is a region of the atmosphere that is filled with charged particles (ions).ionosphere Important for radio communication.

The space shuttle orbits in the thermosphere of the earth.

5. The Exosphere Very high up, the Earth's atmosphere becomes very thin. The region where atoms and molecules escape into space is referred to as the exosphere. The exosphere is upper part of the thermosphere.the thermosphere Extends about 550 km above the surface. (80 miles and up!) Satellites orbit in the exosphere.

This is a picture which shows the Earth, its atmosphere (the clouds are likely in the troposphere and stratosphere), the limb of the Earth (the dark blue curve/edge which is the mesosphere and thermosphere), and the dark blue to black region of space (where our exosphere extends out to...).

VI. Dimethyl Sulfide Production and Cloud Cover Dimethyl sulfide in the ocean is produced by coccolithophores. Dimethyl sulfide in the ocean is produced by coccolithophores. The dimethyl sulfide acts as a great condensation nuclei for the formation of clouds. The dimethyl sulfide acts as a great condensation nuclei for the formation of clouds. High dimethyl sulfide production leads to heavier cloud cover, low dimethyl sulfide production leads to less cloud cover. High dimethyl sulfide production leads to heavier cloud cover, low dimethyl sulfide production leads to less cloud cover. Often happens in rain forests and in coral reefs Often happens in rain forests and in coral reefs Why coral reefs? Why coral reefs? Possibly a way the reef is able to regulate sea surface temperature so that unfavorable conditions do not cause the reef to bleach (plankton leaves coral polyps) Possibly a way the reef is able to regulate sea surface temperature so that unfavorable conditions do not cause the reef to bleach (plankton leaves coral polyps)

VI. Dimethyl Sulfide Production and Cloud Cover