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Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Ozone, which is actually a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms linked together by covalent bonds, absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation that enters the Earth's atmosphere as part of sunlight. The contrails usually become thin at low humidity and high altitudes. The bottom of the stratosphere is around 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above the ground at middle latitudes. The temperatures decrease by 6.5 degrees Celsius each kilometer, reaching -55 degrees Celsius at the top limit of the troposphere, commonly known as the tropopause. Certain birds will even fly in the stratosphere, including swans, cranes, and vultures! The stratosphere extends from from 4 -12 miles (6-20 km) above the Earth's surface to around 31 miles (50 km). The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere. The lower boundary of the stratosphere can be as high as 20 km (12 miles or 65,000 feet) near the equator and as low as 7 km (4 miles or 23,000 feet) at the poles in winter. Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. Ozone layer (highest concentration of ozone in the atmosphere) The ozone layer is a thin layer of the stratosphere made of a gas called ozone. Close to the tropopause, temperatures start at approximately -51 Celsius (-60 Fahrenheit) and continue to rise until reaching the stratopause, where temperatures reach -15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit). The particles in the exosphere do not behave like gases. The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, which is composed of a total of five layers. Due to the high speed of the meteor, it generates a lot of heat resulting from high friction between the particles and the meteor. For years, CFCs - a chemical used in aerosols - were transported the stratosphere via convection and became trapped there. Troposphere - The lowest level of our atmosphere is called the Troposphere. The thermosphere is home to the International Space Station as it orbits Earth. Because of this, jet aircraft and weather balloons reach their maximum operational altitudes within the stratosphere. An interesting feature of stratospheric circulation is the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in the tropical latitudes, which is driven by gravity waves that are convectively generated in the troposphere. Gases and dust from volcanic eruptions often meet the same fate, remaining trapped in the stratosphere for months or even longer. Strat means layer. Thislayerseparates the rest of the atmosphere from outer space. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. The atmosphere is a layer of gases retained by gravity on the earth. It is easy & understandable to view our atmosphere as a continuous layer of air. However, temperature increases with altitude in the stratosphere, which is opposite from the troposphere. Mercury has water ice and organics. Earth is a great planet to live on because it has a wonderful atmosphere around it. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. It contains most of our Earth's water vapour, and is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. These troposphere facts are going to make you see the air around you in a very different light and help you learn more about how we live and breathe. 35. 19. It reaches up to the mesosphere, with another thin layer of air called the stratopause separating them. Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. The waves and tides influence the flows of air in the stratosphere and can also cause regional heating of this layer of the atmosphere. Theexosphereis really, really big. Be grateful! The stratosphere contains approximately 19% of the earth's total atmospheric gases. Stratosphere is the second layer. The top of the stratosphere occurs at an altitude of 50 km (31 miles). Due to this, the stratosphere has very little convection, which causes chemicals derived from aerosols, known as CFC's, to become confined to the stratosphere. Of all the atmospheric layers, this is the most closest to the Earth. Since the stratosphere has increasing temperature with elevation, convection is very rare. - Facts, Layers & Population, The Changing Earth: Volcanoes, Weathering & Deposition, The Four Spheres of Earth: Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, and Atmosphere, Interactions of Earth's Spheres: Purpose and Examples, Ionosphere: Definition, Facts, Temperature & Layers, Understanding Plate Tectonics: Tutoring Solution, Understanding Earthquakes: Tutoring Solution, Understanding Volcanoes: Tutoring Solution, Rock Deformation & Mountain Building: Tutoring Solution, Shaping the Earth's Surface: Tutoring Solution, Energy in the Earth System: Tutoring Solution, Earth's Energy Resources: Tutoring Solution, Earth's Material Resources: Tutoring Solution, Earth Science Investigation & Experimentation: Tutoring Solution, Environmental Science 101: Environment and Humanity, UExcel Pathophysiology: Study Guide & Test Prep, Stratosphere Lesson for Kids: Definition & Facts, What is Alginic Acid? The exosphere gradually fades away into the realm of interplanetary space. A.A. Scaife, J.R. Knight, G.K. Vallis, C.K. The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, and lies approximately 10km to 50km above the Earth's surface. It is the only layer of the atmosphere where temperature inversion occurs. The atmosphere gradually changes as the climate and weather change. Exosphere widely contains particles of helium and hydrogen. 21. As you go up, it becomes colder. This was based on temperature profiles from mostly unmanned and a few manned instrumented balloons. The ozone layer helps protect us from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. This results in an increase in temperature from about -76 degrees Fahrenheit to around 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Variations in the amount of energy coming from the Sun exert a powerful influence on both the height of the top of this layer and the temperature within it. The ionosphere stretches roughly 50 to 400 miles above Earth's surface, right at the edge of space. The stratosphere also has an increasing temperature with increasing altitude, which is different than what happens in the troposphere. These distances vary slightly due to elevation changes on the Earth. Heat is produced in the process of the formation of Ozone, and this heat is responsible for . Facts About The Exosphere: The Outermost Layer Of The Atmosphere. Three Highest Thrill Rides in the World. This border is known as the Karman line. Above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. This layer is 22 miles (35 kilometers) thick. Temperature increases with height until the estimated top of the thermosphere at 500 km. 27. It is the highest layer. The timescale of this rapid mixing is much smaller than the much slower timescales of upwelling in the tropics and downwelling in the extratropics. You might have seen planes leaving white condensation trails. Create your account. [22][23], In 1902, Lon Teisserenc de Bort from France and Richard Assmann from Germany, in separate but coordinated publications and following years of observations, published the discovery of an isothermal layer at around 1114km, which is the base of the lower stratosphere. 4. 8. The air has a very low density that you get into the interplanetary space without a manifest limit. Unlike the stratosphere, temperatures once again grow colder as you rise up through the mesosphere. Air circulation within the stratosphere is dominated by the Brewer-Dobson Circulation, which is a single-celled air movement that stretches from the Poles to the Equator. Starting at ground level, it extends upward to about 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above sea level. It is enough to cover the entire earths surface with 1 cm of rain. Unlike the troposphere however it is colder closer to the earth and warmer as it gets closer to the mesosphere. All Rights Reserved. Certain swans, cranes, and vultures can fly in the lower stratosphere. This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. Ozone layer lies about 19-32 km over the earths surface. Privacy Policy The ozone layer lies in the stratosphere, which absorb the majority of harmful UV radiation from the sun. Large volcanic eruptions and major meteorite impacts can fling aerosol particles up into the stratosphere where they may linger for months or years, sometimes altering Earth's global climate. 10. This layer separates the rest of the atmosphere from outer space. Commercial airliners fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the weather, travel faster, and save fuel. Layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere. [7] Molecular oxygen absorbs high energy sunlight in the UV-C region, at wavelengths shorter than about 240nm. Above the stratosphere lies the mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The stratosphere ends where it transitions to the mesosphere, around 50 kilometers above the earth. The Earth's atmosphere is very important, as each layer plays a role for life on Earth. There are a few other atmospheric layers as well -- you can take a look at a diagram of these below. stratosphere The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, which extends on average from about 10 to 50 km above the Earth's surface. On November 29, 1973, a Rppell's vulture (Gyps rueppelli) was ingested into a jet engine 11,278m (37,000ft) above the Ivory Coast. However, the air in this layer is so thin that it would feel freezing cold to us! As the altitude increases, the atmosphere diminishes which is the reason why the air pressure in the exosphere is shallow. The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. As a result, it tends to trap any and all gases that enter this region of the atmosphere. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. The layer made of layers Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. This layer is 22 miles (35 kilometers) thick. The stratosphere ( / strtsfr, - to -/) is the second layer of the atmosphere of the Earth, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. This is the opposite of what happens in the troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth. There are five layers of the Earth's atmosphere. Like the other atmospheric layers, it does not have a fixed height but starts at an altitude of approximately 10 km(6 miles), extending up to a height of roughly 50 km(30 miles). 3090 Center Green Drive, Boulder, CO 80301, Air pressure drops, and temperatures get colder, as you climb higher in the troposphere, ACOM | Atmospheric Chemistry Observations & Modeling, CISL | Computational & Information Systems, EdEC | Education, Engagement & Early-Career Development, Government Relations & External Engagement. The troposphere is the lowest layer of our atmosphere. 30. In this article, we are going to learn about the atmosphere. Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas whose molecules are comprised of three oxygen atoms. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. The temperatures in the ozone belt are higher than in the troposphere since the ozone absorbs the ultraviolet rays. This is how certain gases become trapped in the stratosphere, like CFC's and ozone. The other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Because of this temperature stratification, there is little convection and mixing in the stratosphere, so the layers of air there are quite stable. A rare type of electrical discharge, somewhat akin to lightning, occurs in the stratosphere. Mesosphere lies between 50-85 km above sea level. [2] [3] The stratosphere is an atmospheric layer composed of stratified temperature layers, with the warm layers of air high in the sky and the cool layers of air in the low sky, close . Most meteors burn up in the mesosphere. The thermosphere extends from about 90 km to 500 kmand 1,000 km above our planet. There are no storms or turbulence here to mix up the air, so cold, heavy air is at the bottom and warm, light air is at the top. 77 Amazing, Interesting, and Exciting Facts about the Atmosphere Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. As you might imagine, the "air" in the exosphere is very, very, very thin, making this layer even more space-like than the thermosphere. During northern hemispheric winters, sudden stratospheric warmings, caused by the absorption of Rossby waves in the stratosphere, can be observed in approximately half of winters when easterly winds develop in the stratosphere. 14. When greenhouse gases rise into the atmosphere, they form chloride ions that destroy the ozone layer by making holes in it. The other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. 33. These elements react with toxic gases, salt, smoke, and volcanic ash. The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful radiation emitted from the Sun. A Division ofAutumn Skies Online (Pty) Ltd Disclaimer 26. There is no clear-cut upper boundary where the exosphere finally fades away into space. There are little to no clouds in the stratosphere from the lack of convection. In fact, the air in the exosphere is constantly - though very gradually - "leaking" out of Earth's atmosphere into outer space. The oxygen atom product combines with atmospheric molecular oxygen to reform O3, releasing heat. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. Interestingly, the most significant portion of the atmosphere is located within twelve kilometers of the earths surface. They shoot upwards through the stratosphere in a blue column to altitudes as high as 50km! 2011 UCAR with portions adapted from Windows to the Universe ( 2009 NESTA). While the troposphere is filled with a vast assortment of clouds thanks to a gas we know as water vapor, the stratosphere is a vast, clear blue sky. Never miss out again when another interesting and helpful article is released and stay updated, while also receiving helpful tips & information by simplyclicking on this link .Until next time, keep your eye on the weather! Ozone is a chemical compound consisting of three oxygen atoms. The ozone layer is situated within this layer. This part of the atmosphere is the most dense. The height of the bottom of the stratosphere varies with latitude and with the seasons. The atmosphere consists of five distinct layers, with the stratosphere being the second, situated just above the troposphere. (The fuel consumption depends on the drag, which is related to the lift by the lift-to-drag ratio.) The stratosphere extends from the tropopause at about 10 to 17 km (about 6 to 11 miles) altitude to its upper boundary (the stratopause) at . Moreover, it regulates the temperature extremes that are likely to occur between day and night. The atmosphere comprises five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. The more humid the atmosphere is, the thicker the contrails will be. As a meteor begins to enter this layer, it rapidly bumps into mesosphere particles and scrapes against them. They have been observed by airline pilots and the international space station. At the top of the stratosphere, the density of the air is close to zero. Life as we know it wouldnt be possible without this layer of protection. They result from ionized particles from the sun striking the upper atmosphere above the poles. The atmosphere has nearly 37.5 million billion gallons of water at any given time. Planes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence and fly longer distances using less fuel. Clouds rarely form in the stratosphere for this reason as well, as the air is very dry. 3. This breaking is caused due to a highly non-linear interaction between the vertically propagating planetary waves and the isolated high potential vorticity region known as the polar vortex. But there are no mountains high enough to reach the stratosphere, so you dont have to worry about that. Other gases such as carbon dioxide, argon, helium, and neon occupy the remaining portion. The coldest temperatures are found in the mesopause. Bacterial life survives in the stratosphere, making it a part of the biosphere. The rising air is literally freeze dried; the stratosphere is a very dry place. It is important because it contains the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful UV rays. The stratosphere is one of the 5 layers of the atmosphere, situated above the troposphere and below the mesosphere at an altitude of 10 km (6 miles), extending to 50 km (30 miles). As a result, the air in the stratosphere is about 1000 times thinner in the stratosphere than at sea level in the troposphere. Unlike the troposphere, it contains little water vapor so there are no clouds in this layer of the atmosphere. Composition of the Earth's atmosphere. Biosphere forms part of the troposphere where life exists. Another large-scale feature that significantly influences stratospheric circulation is the breaking planetary waves[15] resulting in intense quasi-horizontal mixing in the midlatitudes. OH is formed by the reaction of electrically excited oxygen atoms produced by ozone photolysis, with water vapor. Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies., The Earth's atmosphere consists of five layers. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. Because of this, the top of the thermosphere can be found anywhere between 500 and 1,000 km (311 to 621 miles) above the ground. Although on average the stratosphere begins at about 7 miles up from the earth's surface, it can range from 5 miles at the earth's poles, to 6-8 miles at moderate latitudes, to 11 miles at the equator. There is very little water vapor in this layer of the atmosphere, so clouds are a rare occurrence. The stratosphere is a very interesting layer in Earth's atmosphere, as there are many fun stratosphere facts outside of its primary characteristics that make it unique. Planes that are low on fuel also fly at this altitude because they can cover more distance than in the troposphere while using less fuel and encountering less turbulence. The stratosphere is where youll find the very important ozone layer. The biosphere extends from the deepest root systems of trees, to the dark environments of ocean trenches, to lush rain forests, high mountaintops, and transition zones like this one, where ocean and terrestrial ecosystems meet. All rights reserved. It is in the thermosphere that the space shuttle flew. [11] This optimizes fuel efficiency, mostly due to the low temperatures encountered near the tropopause and low air density, reducing parasitic drag on the airframe. However, it is made up out of five different layers: The troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. She earned her bachelor's in Physics and Astronomy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. While the stratosphere is dry, additional water vapor is produced in situ by the photochemical oxidation of methane (CH4). Due to this effect, temperatures in the stratosphere actually increase from about negative {eq}60 {/eq} F up to about negative {eq}5 {/eq} F with altitude. The ozone layer helps protect us from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. Since blue light has short wavelengths, it gets reflected more compared to other colors. Stated another way, it allows the airliner to fly faster while maintaining lift equal to the weight of the plane. #1. Stratosphere - The Stratosphere makes up around 25% of the total of Earth's atmosphere, and is home to more than 90% of our Earth's O-Zone layer. The latter value is about halfway to the Moon! It comprises the magnetosphere and ionosphere. Air is roughly a thousand times thinner at the top of the stratosphere than it is at sea level. Moreover, the distance between the molecules increases as you move up the different layers. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. The stratosphere is actually crucial to allowing us to live on earth, because within the stratosphere you will find the ozone layer. In the stratosphere - 'strato' means layer and sphere is the shape of the earth. UCAR/Randy Russell Commercial passenger jets fly in the lower stratosphere, partly because this less-turbulent layer provides a smoother ride. Air density is the lowest, and its temperature can increase up to 1500 degrees Celsius. Ionosphere plays a vital role in radio signals broadcast on the earths surface. If you are interested in the complete structure and make-up of the atmosphere,this articlecovers all five atmospheric layers and their relation to each other in more detail. Each year, this large amount of water is recycled about 40 times. We live in one layer, called the troposphere, where the clouds and most of the water vapor reside. [24], Seinfeld, J. H., and S. N.(2006), Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change 2nd ed, Wiley, New Jersey. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_3',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_4',116,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2-0_1');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_5',116,'0','2'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2-0_2');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_6',116,'0','3'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2-0_3'); .large-billboard-2-multi-116{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:3px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:3px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:300px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}Recent Posts, Copyright 2023 by Own Your Weather. The stratosphere starts just above the troposphere and extends to 50 kilometers (31 miles) high. The aurora, the Northern Lights and Southern Lights, occur in the thermosphere. The troposphere, the lowest layer, is right below the stratosphere. 25. Louise Fisher has taught middle school students introductory physics topics for two years. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stratosphere&oldid=1140010063, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 00:23. Thats the opposite of how the layers work in the troposphere, where we live. The stratosphere the atmosphere's second layer, and is located right above the troposphere and right below the mesosphere. These events often precede unusual winter weather [16] and may even be responsible for the cold European winters of the 1960s.[17]. So, what does the stratosphere do? Scientists have been warning people for many years about the damage we are doing to the ozone layer. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. Despite Mercury's weak magnetic field, it behaves similarly to Earth's. 32. We now know that there are additional ozone loss mechanisms and that these mechanisms are catalytic meaning that a small amount of the catalyst can destroy a great number of ozone molecules. A two-step reactive mechanism produces ozone in the stratosphere naturally. Mercury has an atmosphere that changes with its distance to the Sun. When the ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation, it actually causes another phenomenon that is used to identify different layers in the atmosphere. We take a closer look at the stratosphere and its defining characteristics. Brewer-Dobson Circulation occurs in the stratosphere. Clouds form when water vapor condenses into a liquid, and with very little water, vapor condensation is virtually impossible. The temperature increases to about negative {eq}5 {/eq} F in the stratosphere. ], While looking up at the sky on a cloud-free day, one will see what looks like a continuous piece of[], The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, It extends from a height of approximately 10 km. The stratosphere is home to the ozone layer, which is a thin layer of concentrated ozone which plays an essential role in protecting the Earth from dangerous solar radiation. That trend of rising temperatures with altitude means that air in the stratosphere lacks the turbulence and updrafts of the troposphere beneath. PSCs appear in the lower stratosphere near the poles in winter. Why Is Carbon Important? This site is owned and operated by Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd, a limited liability company headquartered in Somerset West, South Africa. The overall circulation of the stratosphere is termed as Brewer-Dobson circulation, which is a single-celled circulation, spanning from the tropics up to the poles, consisting of the tropical upwelling of air from the tropical troposphere and the extra-tropical downwelling of air. This vertical stratification, with warmer layers above and cooler layers below, makes the stratosphere dynamically stable: there is no regular convection and associated turbulence in this part of the atmosphere.