1. Layers of the Atmosphere

2. 1. Troposphere 0 to 12 km from earth’s surface Where weather occurs
We live here.
Contains almost all of the mass of the atmosphere.
As altitude increase temperature decreases (colder).

3. 2. Stratosphere From the top of troposphere to 50 km.
As altitude increase, temperature increases (warmer because of ozone).
Contains the ozone layer
Jets fly here to avoid weather (Jet Stream)

4. 2a. Ozone Ozone = O3 Ozone is produced by lightning
90% of ozone is in the stratosphere
Protect the earth from UV radiation from the sun.
If found in the troposphere, it is a pollutant.

5. 3. Mesosphere 50 – 80 km above earth’s surface
As altitude increase, temperature decrease (colder).
Meteorites that have been burnt up enter as a shooting star.

6. 4. Thermosphere
Divided into two sections, the ionosphere & the exosphere
Begins at 80 km from the earth’s surface
Ends in outer space
Therm – heat
As altitude increases, temp. increases, hot!
This is where the meterorites first burn up!
Air is very thin – molecules spread out

7. 5. Ionosphere
80 to 550 km, 1st layer of the Thermosphere
Energy from the sun causes gas molecules to have a charge + or – (ions)
Aurora Borealis occur here. Particles from the sun enter the atmosphere at the poles.

8. How Auroras are caused:
Charged particles from the sun interact with the earth’s magnetic field
The particles (or ions) enter the atmosphere near the poles
Northern Hemisphere – Northern Lights
Southern Hemisphere – Aurora Australis

9. Aurora Borealis The RED color is from the interaction with Nitrogen.
The GREEN color is from the interaction with Oxygen.

10. 6. Exosphere Exo = Outer (EXIT) 2nd layer of the thermosphere
550 km above earth to outer space
Satellites orbit here

12. Magnetosphere (this isn’t a layer)
The earth acts as a large magnet
All magnetic objects produce invisible lines of force and creates charged molecules
Earth’s magnetic line run from North to South Pole
The magnetic field stops solar winds
The charged molecules create auroras in the ionosphere