THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE: Atmospheric Layers SOL 6.6

Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. The Earth’s atmosphere has LAYERS! Earth’s atmosphere is made up of layers that have distinct characteristics.

These layers are the… troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere.

Let’s find out where these layers are located in relation to the Earth’s surface and how they are affected by temperature.

Troposphere The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere that lies next to the Earth’s surface.

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

Troposphere It extends to about 14 kilometers (around 9 miles) 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 - 60°C (-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 Earth’s 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 -90°C (- 130°F ).

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

Thermosphere The thermosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth’s 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 1,800°C (3,300°F)!

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.

Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. The Earth’s atmosphere has LAYERS! Earth’s atmosphere is made up of layers that have distinct characteristics.