420 million years ago, the change in atmosphere caused the first major extinction, which.

Above that is the mesosphere, which reaches as far as about 85 kilometers (53 miles) above Earth’s surface. Of the moons, only Titan, a moon of Saturn, is known to have a thick atmosphere. The current molecular composition of Earth’s atmosphere is diatomic nitrogen (N 2 ), 78.08 percent; diatomic oxygen (O 2 ), 20.95 percent; argon (A), 0.93 percent; water (H 2 0), about 0 to 4 percent; and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), 0.04 percent. When we compare the wavelengths of blue and violet, violet has a small wavelength. The air below the Mesopause is pretty cold and whatever little water vapor is present, condenses to form noctilucent or night-shining clouds (cloud-like phenomena which occur in upper layers of the Earth’s atmosphere). The density of the atmosphere decreases with the increase in the height or altitude. They can be seen only during dusk or dawn. The pressure of the atmosphere is 101325 pascals or 760 mmHg. 79.

It’s thought that the atmosphere that surrounds the Earth has been there since it’s formation 4.5 billion years ago. 11. The water vapor freezes and is visible. 35. Our site is COPPA and kidSAFE-certified, so you can rest assured it's a safe place for kids to grow and explore. The development of Earth’s habitable atmosphere, as contrasted with the torrid climate of Venus, appears to be directly related to Earth’s distance from the Sun. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. 78. Earth’s atmosphere contains five main layers—the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. 93. But why do we see it blue? The temperature increases as the height increases in this layer. 89. 84. Water vapor and dust are also part of Earth ’s atmosphere. Around 280 million years ago, the atmosphere was more or less as today’s atmosphere. outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, beginning at an altitude of about 550 kilometers (341 miles) above the Earth's surface. It orbits the Earth at a height of 350 kilometers to 420 kilometers. But here is the catch. Atmospheric (air) pressure is the force produced by air as it pushes against its surroundings. Without it the earth would be either too hot or too cold, and life would not be possible. The percentage of gases present in the Earth’s atmosphere is given below: 14. 73. The troposphere reaches approximately 12km from the earth's surface and is the thinnest layer. The atmosphere is made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and smaller amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, helium, and neon. The pressure near the Stratopause (transition zone between Stratosphere and Mesosphere) is merely 1/1000th pressure of the pressure present near the sea level. All rights reserved. Water vapor and dust are also part of Earth ’s atmosphere. In the 1980s, scientists discovered that the ozone layer is getting thinner and that so-called “holes” (areas containing less ozone) were appearing over Antarctica and the Arctic each spring. 30. 62. After that, the atmosphere blends into space. These gases are found in layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere) defined by unique features such as temperature and pressure. It extends from the stratopause to … The atmosphere is a series of layers of gases that surround a celestial object. Earth’s atmosphere is composed of about 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, 0.9 percent argon, and 0.1 percent other gases. 70. 86. Homosphere is characterized by the homogenous mixing of the atmospheric gases.

A high concentration of ozone, a molecule composed of three atoms of oxygen, makes up the ozone layer of the stratosphere. The atmosphere of Venus is about 96 percent carbon dioxide, with surface temperatures around 737 K (464 °C, or 867 °F).

The named atmosphere comes from the Ancient Greek word atmos, meaning Vapour, and sphaira, meaning sphere. The clouds you see in the sky, the wind that is moving the trees or the flag in your school yard, even the sunshine you feel on your face—these are all a result of Earth’s atmosphere. Also called a shooting star or falling star. Did you ever wonder why some white streaks are seen after some planes move through? 46. Sand, oceanic salt, ash, pollen, and smoke constitute the dust particles.
A body can have an atmosphere if there is gravity and if the temperature is low.

Earth’s atmosphere is composed of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and one percent other gases. The atmosphere holds up to 40 trillion gallons of water! The atmosphere of Venus is about 96 percent carbon dioxide, with surface temperatures around 737 K (464 °C, or 867 °F). 33. A layer of ozone gas in the stratosphere protects us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight. Announcing our NEW encyclopedia for Kids! 71. level of Earth's atmosphere, extending from 10 kilometers (6 miles) to 50 kilometers (31 miles) above the surface of the Earth. layer of the Earth's atmosphere located between 80 kilometers (50 miles) and 550 kilometers (341 miles) above the Earth's surface. If these questions have tormented your mind for long, the answers are all here in this article on Earth’s atmosphere facts. 21. The height of the planetary boundary layer ranges from 100 meters (clear night) to 3,000 meters in the daytime in the dry region. It is present above the photosphere (the shell of the star which radiates light). (By contrast, Earth has a sea-level pressure of around 1,000 millibars.). The gases in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, prevent the heat from escaping our planet, and keeping it a temperature that humans can cope with. Learning about the atmosphere that surrounds the Earth is important. © 1996 - 2020 National Geographic Society. Not much is known about the thermosphere except that temperatures increase with altitude. DOES THE ATMOSPHERE REMAIN THE SAME FROM EARTH TO SPACE. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for liquid water to exist on the Earth's surface, absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention, and reducing temperature extremes …
These include argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, hydrogen, and more. 12. 8. The temperature in the first 20 kilometers remains almost the same. It extends up to 10,000 kilometers and eventually mixes with solar wind (stream of charged particles emitted by the upper layers of the atmosphere by the Sun). This force is over 14 lb per sq in (1 kg per sq cm).

Jupiter's Great Red Spot and its surroundings, photographed by Voyager 1, February 25, 1979. The scientific study of the earth's atmosphere is referred to as aerology. It extends up to 18 kilometers near the equator and 8 kilometers near the poles. Rockets and rocket-powered aircraft can access this layer. Silver-blue noctilucent clouds are shown extending far above the orange-colored troposphere, the lowest and densest part of Earth's atmosphere. Ionosphere forms the inner margin of the magnetosphere (the region surrounding the celestial object where the charged ions or particles get affected by the magnetic field of the celestial object). 13.

The Ozone layer is important for us, as it absorbs all of the harmful light from the Sun. Its average height is 40 kilometers. These white streaks (technically known as the condensation trails or contrails) can indicate the weather. 60. 75. 92. Oxygen which was produced due to photosynthesis was used up by reducing materials like Iron, etc. Hence this layer is called Troposphere (tropo in Greek means ‘turn’) or changing sphere. 81. The earth’s atmosphere contains gases which include of mostly Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), and the remaining 1% percent includes Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Neon, Helium, Methane, Krypton, and Hydrogen. 76. This move aims to create a separate website that is not related to studies and provides only interesting stuff! There are five layers of the atmosphere. The temperatures at the top of the Mesosphere can reach as low as -90°c. It’s thought that the atmosphere that surrounds the Earth has been there since it’s formation 4.5 … Washington, DC 20036, National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. The Mesosphere is the next layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. To interpret a stellar spectrum quantitatively, knowledge of the variation in temperature and density with depth in the star’s atmosphere is needed. He was 120,000 feet above the earth's surface. 17.

58. The atmosphere when Earth was formed was dominated by gases like Hydrogen, Water Vapor, Ammonia (NH4), and Methane. The color of the sky is actually violet. A trip from the surface of Earth to outer space would result in passing through five different layers, each with very different characteristics. 82. Therefore, it is necessary to be in a pressurized suit if you ever want to get to that height.

It includes the OZONE LAYER, which shields us from the Sun’s harmful rays. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher.