Where on earth can be usually observed those things on

the pictures?
PHETMAOSER
ATMOSPHERE
 LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE

LAYER SPECIAL TEMPERATURE

FEAUTURES
     
     
     
     
     
• The Earth’s Atmosphere: Atmospheric 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.
• The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere that lies next to the Earth’s surface. Most of
the air that makes up the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. It extends to about 14 kilometers
above the Earth and is where virtually all weather takes place. As you move up into the troposphere
the temperature decreases. At the top of this layer the air temperature is about - 60°C.
• The stratosphere begins at the top of the troposphere and extends to about 50 kilometers above the
surface of the Earth. As you move up into the stratosphere the air temperature actually increases.
This occurs because of ozone. Ozone is a gas that absorbs solar radiation and releases it as heat.
• The mesosphere begins at about 50 kilometers above the Earth’s surface and extends to 80
kilometers. As you move up into the mesosphere, the air temperature decreases. Temperatures at
the top of this layer can drop to -90°C. Interestingly, this layer also protects the Earth. Meteoroids
entering Earth’s atmosphere usually burn up in the mesosphere.
• The thermosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. It begins at 80 kilometers above
the Earth and extends outward into space. The higher you move in this layer, the higher the
temperature. Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach 1,800°C! The beautiful colors of the
aurora borealis or northern lights occur in this atmospheric layer. This is also where the space shuttle
orbits the Earth!