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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.