The Atmosphere

The atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the Earth. It comprises different gases, primarily nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21), and trace amounts of other gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ozone. It comprises five main layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

Troposphere: The troposphere is the lowest layer and extends from the Earth's surface to about 10-15 kilometers. It is where weather occurs and contains most of the Earth's air mass. Temperatures decrease with altitude in this layer.

Stratosphere: Above the troposphere lies the stratosphere, extending from 10-15 kilometers to around 50 kilometers. The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs much of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. Temperatures increase with altitude in this layer.

Mesosphere: The mesosphere extends from the upper boundary of the stratosphere up to around 85 kilometers. In this layer, temperatures decrease again with altitude. The mesosphere is where meteors burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere.

The thermosphere is the layer above the mesosphere and extends up to about 600 kilometers. Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach incredibly high levels due to the absorption of intense solar radiation. This layer is also where the auroras occur.

Exosphere: The exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere, extending beyond the thermosphere. It gradually merges with the vacuum of space. The exosphere contains sparse gas molecules and is where satellites and spacecraft orbit.

Image: Earth`s Atmospher

Attribution: Original: en Bredk Vector:  tiZom, globe borrowed from File: Earth clip art. svg, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>

The atmosphere, a crucial component of our planet, performs several vital functions. It acts as a shield, absorbing and filtering solar radiation, thereby protecting life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. It also plays a significant role in maintaining a habitable climate by regulating the planet's temperature through the greenhouse effect. This effect traps heat, preventing extreme temperature fluctuations. Moreover, the atmosphere acts as a global weather moderator, transporting and redistributing heat and moisture, thereby influencing weather patterns across the globe.