Atmosphere

Atmosphere The Earths atmosphere is divided into four different layers. 1. Troposphere – Where weather forms 2. Stratosphere – Where the protective ozone layer floats 3. Mesosphere – Where shooting stars blaze 4. Thermosphere – Where temperatures rise

Note: The Troposphere begins at sea level on the Earths surface

Lower Atmosphere Troposphere Sea level – 10 miles above Earths surface Where weather forms Commercial airliners fly here Contains Mountains and Mountain ranges Storms take place here Contains about 75% of the atmosphere Extends from the Earths surface at the North and South poles and at the Equator

Middle Atmosphere Stratosphere 10-31 miles above the Earths surface Where the protective ozone layer floats High up clouds such as Cirrus clouds are here. Have a wispy appearance. Jet streams are also here. Contains 20% of the molecules in the atmosphere and gets warmer as you go away from Earth Cirrus clouds Jet Stream

Middle Atmosphere Mesosphere 31-50 miles above Earths surface Meteors (shooting stars) are seen here Space debris begins to burn up as it enters the mesosphere Temperature drops as you leave Earth dipping to as low as -90C (-130 F) at the top layer

Upper Atmosphere Thermosphere This is the lower boundary of space 50 - 400 miles above Earths surface This is the lower boundary of space Temperatures rise here Air is thin, but absorbs a lot of solar radiation Temperatures can reach up to 230 C (440 F) The Northern and Southern lights are created here due to charged particles in the magnetosphere being affected by Earths magnetic field.