Layers of the Atmosphere

• Troposphere - the lowest region of the Earth's atmosphere

  • Temp: decreases 17 to (-51) degrees
• Stratosphere - the only layer where jets can travel

  • it is where the protective Ozone is found
  • Temp: increases (-51) to (-15) degrees
• Protective Ozone - is considered as "good" ozone because it protects the earth from harmful UV rays

  • comprises 90% of the stratosphere
  • found between 16-48 km above Earth's surface
• Mesosphere - is the coldest region of the atmosphere

  • is the layer that protects the earth by burning incoming meteors
  • it extends to an altitude of 90 km from the top of the stratosphere
  • Temp: decreases (-100) degrees
• Thermosphere - the first layer exposed to the Sun's radiation and so it is first healed by the Sun

  • its air molecules are 1 km apart
  • is often considered the "hot layer" because it contains the warmest temperatures in the atmosphere
  • is where satellites and the Ionosphere are found
  • Temp: increases 500 to 2000 degrees
• Ionosphere - the lowest part of the Thermosphere

  • allows long-distance radio communication by reflecting the radio waves back to Earth
  • it is where the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) is found
• Exosphere - the upper part of Thermosphere

  • the actual "final frontier" of Earth's gaseous envelope
  • is where rockets travel
  • Temp: varies from very hot to very cold