The stratosphere is very dry air and contains little water vapor. 50 Interesting Facts About The Atmosphere - Page 2 of 3 - The Fact File Air density is the lowest, and its temperature can increase up to 1500 degrees Celsius. The next higher layer above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. Ionization takes place in the ionosphere caused by the suns radiation. In 1985, they observed a hole in the ozone layer above the Antarctic. At an altitude of 100 km above sea level, a border represents the separation between the atmosphere and outer space. It is easy & understandable to view our atmosphere as a continuous layer of air. 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. As a result, air circulation is not as prevalent in this layer of the atmosphere, making it difficult for some gasses to escape. It is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Near the equator, the lower edge of the stratosphere is as high as 20km (66,000ft; 12mi), at midlatitudes around 10km (33,000ft; 6.2mi), and at the poles about 7km (23,000ft; 4.3mi). The oxygen atom product combines with atmospheric molecular oxygen to reform O3, releasing heat. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. [19] In 2001, dust was collected at a height of 41 kilometres in a high-altitude balloon experiment and was found to contain bacterial material when examined later in the laboratory. Ozone layer | Description, Importance, & Facts | Britannica This is due to the temperature changes within the stratosphere. To learn more about each layer of the atmosphere, click the images below. The ozone layer absorbs the majority of these rays, shielding life from harmful radiation. So, what does the stratosphere do? Planes and jets will sometimes. Facts About Stratosphere - GKToday This border is known as the Karman line. Within the stratosphere temperatures increase with altitude (see temperature inversion); the top of the stratosphere has a temperature of about 270 K (3C or 26.6F).[8]. Little-Known Scientific Facts About the Stratosphere The height of the bottom of the stratosphere varies with latitude and with the seasons. However, the distance of 100 kms from the earths surface is what is considered generally as an imaginary boundary. Air is roughly a thousand times thinner at the top of the stratosphere than it is at sea level. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. Atmosphere Layers: Facts About the Atmosphere Layers Composition of the Earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere is a layer of gases retained by gravity on the earth. Thats the opposite of how the layers work in the troposphere, where we live. We humans live in the troposphere, and nearly all weather occurs in this lowest layer. Bacterial life survives in the stratosphere, making it a part of the biosphere. It means temperatures rise as altitude increases in this region, unlike the other four layers, which are characterized by a drop in temperature as altitude increases. Of all the atmospheric layers, this is the most closest to the Earth. 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). This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. This is the opposite of what happens in the troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth. 13. 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. 18. This part of the atmosphere is the most dense. Stratosphere | NASA Space Place - NASA Science for Kids The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, laying just above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. 15. Certain birds will even fly in the stratosphere, including swans, cranes, and vultures! In many ways, the thermosphere is more like outer space than a part of the atmosphere. Most turbulence at this altitude is caused by variations in the jet stream and other local wind shears, although areas of significant convective activity (thunderstorms) in the troposphere below may produce turbulence as a result of convective overshoot. Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. measured by the humidity of the air. 20. Because of this, jet aircraft and weather balloons reach their maximum operational altitudes within the stratosphere. Thats the opposite of how the layers work in the troposphere, where we live. The timescale of this rapid mixing is much smaller than the much slower timescales of upwelling in the tropics and downwelling in the extratropics. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stratosphere&oldid=1140010063, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 00:23. 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. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is produced by biological activity at the surface and is oxidised to NO in the stratosphere; the so-called NOx radical cycles also deplete stratospheric ozone. Atmosphere Atmosphere and Its Layers I feel like its a lifeline. . Between the troposphere and stratosphere is the tropopause border that demarcates the beginning of the temperature inversion. Meteorological phenomena are limited to the troposphere since they result from the earths rotation and suns radiation on the atmosphere. She currently works as a physicist assistant at a cancer treatment center. But there are no mountains high enough to reach the stratosphere, so you dont have to worry about that. Atmosphere facts: ninety-nine percent of the gases that compose the atmosphere are located below a height of 32 km (20 miles). It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion occurs and the region where the ozone layer is situated. As this article clearly illustrated, the stratosphere has a crucial role to play in maintaining the atmosphere and all life in it. There are a few other atmospheric layers as well -- you can take a look at a diagram of these below. 26. Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms (O 3). Dr. Rachel Tustin has a PhD in Education focusing on Educational Technology, a Masters in English, and a BS in Marine Science. It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. Other gases that make up the remaining 0.1 percent include trace amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, and neon. The stratosphere contains approximately 19% of the earth's total atmospheric gases. This UV radiation is important for the production of vitamin D in humans, but too much can destroy tissue. But there are no mountains high enough to reach the stratosphere, so you dont have to worry about that. This decrease in temperature with altitude is what causes convection to occur in the troposphere. The stratosphere is situated just above the troposphere, with a thin layer of air called the tropopause separating the two layers. Although the sun and other planets have magnetospheres, the earths magnetosphere is the strongest one of all the rocky planets. Ozone is a blue pungent-smelling gas that helps to absorb the ultraviolet radiation in the sun rays. As previously mentioned, the stratosphere is one of the five layers that make up the Earth's atmosphere. Three Highest Thrill Rides in the World. Because of this, few clouds are found in this layer and almost all clouds occur in the lower, more humid troposphere. The atmosphere is about 500 km thick, with a mix of more than ten different gases. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. The atmospheric gases must retain the heat in the sun rays and reflect them to the earth to keep it warm. Meteors burn up in the coldest layer, the mesosphere. The ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the . Almost all weather is in this region. [24], Seinfeld, J. H., and S. N.(2006), Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change 2nd ed, Wiley, New Jersey. For years, CFCs - a chemical used in aerosols - were transported the stratosphere via convection and became trapped there. The jet stream flows near the border between the troposphere and the stratosphere. The stratosphere is a region of intense interactions among radiative, dynamical, and chemical processes, in which the horizontal mixing of gaseous components proceeds much more rapidly than does vertical mixing. (Learn more about Nacreous or Polar Stratospheric Clouds in this article.). All air entering the stratosphere must pass through the tropopause, the temperature minimum that divides the troposphere and stratosphere. The exosphere is the very edge of our atmosphere. We live in the troposphere, which is the layer of the atmosphere closest to earth. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. It occurs naturally in small (trace) amounts in the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere). 7. Earth's Atmosphere | NASA Space Place - NASA Science for Kids 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. This is also where you'll find low Earth orbit satellites. 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). Since the ozone layer absorbs UV rays from the sun, it heats up, which allows temperatures to increase as altitude increases. A single chlorine atom can destroy more than a hundred thousand ozone molecules. 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. PSCs are also called nacreous clouds. Nasa Ozone Watch: Ozone facts At the top of the stratosphere, the density of the air is close to zero. 28. Certain bird species like the common crane, whooper swan, and the Rppel's griffon vulture are capable of flying in the lower stratosphere. 77 Amazing, Interesting, and Exciting Facts about the Atmosphere The increase of temperature with altitude is a result of the absorption of the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation by the ozone layer. There are some species of birds capable of flying in the stratosphere. stratosphere The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, which extends on average from about 10 to 50 km above the Earth's surface. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. This layer separates the rest of the atmosphere from outer space. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Exosphere widely contains particles of helium and hydrogen. The stratosphere extends from from 4 -12 miles (6-20 km) above the Earth's surface to around 31 miles (50 km). If you look up at the sky, either on a clear day or a starry night, it probably wouldn't occur to you that you are looking through layers. Facts about the Earth's Atmosphere - Odyssey Magazine Unlike the troposphere, the stratosphere actually gets warmer the higher you go! However, exceptionally energetic convection processes, such as volcanic eruption columns and overshooting tops in severe supercell thunderstorms, may carry convection into the stratosphere on a very local and temporary basis. These gases are found in layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere) defined by unique features such as temperature and pressure. When the ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation, it actually causes another phenomenon that is used to identify different layers in the atmosphere. They have been observed by airline pilots and the international space station. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. The layer made of layers Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. She has taught in K-12 for more than 15 years, and higher education for ten years. The air density is also very low, making it less turbulent to travel through. 32. The particles in this layer are electrically charged, and when they hit each other, aurora australis can be observed. The coldest temperatures in Earth's atmosphere, about -90 C (-130 F), are found near the top of this layer. Ozone molecules in this layer absorb high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light from the Sun, converting the UV energy into heat. [6] Winds in the stratosphere can far exceed those in the troposphere, reaching near 60m/s (220km/h; 130mph) in the Southern polar vortex. Despite Mercury's weak magnetic field, it behaves similarly to Earth's. The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, and lies approximately 10km to 50km above the Earth's surface. Without the stratosphere, life on Earth would be very different or non-existent, as the shielding of the sun's radiation is important for known Earth life. In comparison, the warmest in the thermosphere. The top of the stratosphere occurs at an altitude of 50 km (31 miles). It sets it apart from the other atmospheric layers by temperature rising instead of dropping as altitude increases, a process called temperature inversion. 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). Layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere. No tracking or performance measurement cookies were served with this page. The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site. Most airplanes or jets travel in the lower part of the stratosphere. The mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere (above the troposphere and stratosphere.) Learn about the stratosphere, including the stratosphere's definition and importance. On October 24, 2014, Alan Eustace became the record holder for reaching the altitude record for a manned balloon at 135,890ft (41,419m). This results in an increase in temperature from about -76 degrees Fahrenheit to around 5 degrees Fahrenheit. This material is based upon work supported by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a major facility sponsored by the National Science Foundation and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. What Causes Air Pollution? Finally, chlorofluorocarbon molecules are photolysed in the stratosphere releasing chlorine atoms that react with ozone giving ClO and O2. At the outer limit of the magnetic field is the magnetosphere. 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. It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion takes place. Scientists have been warning people for many years about the damage we are doing to the ozone layer. In fact, the air in the exosphere is constantly - though very gradually - "leaking" out of Earth's atmosphere into outer space. It extends above the tropopause to an altitude of 50 km above the earth. Air pollution causes the demolition of the ozone belt, and without it, the earth would be exposed to the deadly ultraviolet rays in the sun. The stratosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen. The stratosphere also traps certain gasses known as CFC's, which are chemicals derived from aerosol. It surrounds our planet, keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breathe, and it is where our weather happens. This jacket of gases does a lot for us. The layer made of layers. The Stratosphere | Center for Science Education Also known as Nacreous Clouds, these unique clouds develop near the poles at an altitude of 15 - 25 kilometers (9 - 15 miles) during the winter months. 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. 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. The air in the mesosphere is far too thin to breathe (the air pressure at the bottom of the layer is well below 1% of the pressure at sea level and continues dropping as you go higher). This is how certain gases become trapped in the stratosphere, like CFC's and ozone. The ozone layer helps protect us from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. The stratosphere accounts for approximately 24% of the earth's total atmosphere. That's much thicker than the inner layers of the atmosphere, but not nearly as thick as the exosphere. - Structure, Solubility & Products, Arrow Pushing Mechanism in Organic Chemistry, Topicity in Stereochemistry: Relationships & Examples, Antarafacial & Suprafacial Relationships in Organic Chemistry, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. However, the air in this layer is so thin that it would feel freezing cold to us! The stratosphere extends from the top of the troposphere to about 50 km (31 miles) above the ground. The air has a very low density that you get into the interplanetary space without a manifest limit. Troposphere - The lowest level of our atmosphere is called the Troposphere. The resultant breaking causes large-scale mixing of air and other trace gases throughout the midlatitude surf zone. Its about 6,200 miles (10,000 kilometers) thick. Various types of waves and tides in the atmosphere influence the stratosphere. Interestingly, the most significant portion of the atmosphere is located within twelve kilometers of the earths surface. Earths atmosphere has six different layers. Facts About The Stratosphere: What It Is And Its Defining Characteristics This article focus on the stratosphere, Earth's second layer. Along with the neutral upper atmosphere, the ionosphere forms the boundary between Earth's lower atmosphere where we live and breathe and the vacuum of space. The layer of very rare air above the mesosphere is called the thermosphere. This increase of temperature with altitude is characteristic of the stratosphere; its resistance to vertical mixing means that it is stratified. This is just an estimate, however, as the lower and upper boundaries actually vary with the latitude of the earth. The stratosphere is a layer of Earths atmosphere. The stratosphere is the second layer in the Earth's atmosphere. Clouds form due to convection, which is uncommon in the stratosphere. It helps in propagation of the radio waves used in telecommunication. 17. Different definitions place the top of the exosphere somewhere between 100,000 km (62,000 miles) and 190,000 km (120,000 miles) above the surface of Earth. Fun Stratosphere Facts for Kids. 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. Some of these waves and tides carry energy from the troposphere upward into the stratosphere, others convey energy from the stratosphere up into the mesosphere. Just above that is the stratosphere, the area of the atmosphere where passenger airplanes and weather balloons fly. 21. Stratospheric warming of the polar vortex results in its weakening. We are not permitting internet traffic to Byjus website from countries within European Union at this time. [5] Stratospheric temperatures also vary within the stratosphere as the seasons change, reaching particularly low temperatures in the polar night (winter). Troposphere. The atmosphere comprises five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. Moving upward from ground level, these layers are called the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The water exists in the form of vapor and invisible to plain eyes. The atmosphere is one of four spheres of the earth, which include the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere. This layer is 22 miles (35 kilometers) thick. Overall, the attenuation of solar UV at wavelengths that damage DNA by the ozone layer allows life to exist on the surface of the planet outside of the ocean. This material is based upon work supported by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a major facility sponsored by the National Science Foundation and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. 50 Interesting Facts About The Atmosphere - The Fact File Since blue light has short wavelengths, it gets reflected more compared to other colors. Temperatures rise as one moves upward through the stratosphere. It keeps us warm, it gives us oxygen to breathe, and its where our weather happens. 31. Certain birds can fly to this altitude, including cranes, swans, and vultures. Folland. As you might imagine, the "air" in the exosphere is very, very, very thin, making this layer even more space-like than the thermosphere. Aurora is also referred to as polar light. Unlike the stratosphere, temperatures once again grow colder as you rise up through the mesosphere.