THE EARTHS ATMOSPHERE:

Atmospheric Layers

SOL 6.6

Onions have layers. Ogres have

layers.
The Earths
atmosphere has
LAYERS!
Earths
atmosphere is
made up of
layers that have
distinct
characteristics.

These layers are the

troposphere,
the stratosphere,
the mesosphere,
and the thermosphere.

Lets find out where these layers

are located in relation to the
Earths surface and how they
are affected by temperature.

Troposphere
The
troposphere is
the lowest layer
of the
atmosphere that
lies next to the
Earths 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 - 60C
(-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 Earths
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 -90C
(- 130F ).

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

Thermosphere
The
thermosphere
is the
outermost layer
of the Earths
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 1,800C
(3,300F)!

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.