Atmosphere ATMOSPHERE The Earths atmosphere is divided into

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

• 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 LOWER ATMOSPHERE

• Stratosphere MIDDLE ATMOSPHERE • 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

• 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 -90 C (130 F) at the top layer MIDDLE ATMOSPHERE

• Thermosphere UPPER ATMOSPHERE • 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.