The Layers of the Atmosphere
By Matthew Drum
The Troposphere
The Troposphere is the layer closest to the Earth. This layer starts at ground level and goes up 16 kilometers. The air molecules in this layer are packed the tightest together of all the layers in the atmosphere. All weather and clouds form in this layer. The higher you go in this layer, the colder it gets, down to -60 degrees C
The Stratosphere and Ozonosphere
The Stratosphere is the 2nd layer of the Atmosphere. It ranges from 16 to 50 km. Jets fly in this layer because of Jet Streams, which run from West to East. The Ozonosphere layer is part of this layer. The Ozonosphere is made of Ozone, which is a special type of oxygen that protects us from UV rays from the sun. As you go higher in the Stratosphere, it gets warmer up to -20 degrees C.
The Mesosphere
The Mesosphere is the next layer. It goes from 50 to 80 km. This layer protects us from Meteors, because it burns them up. Because of this. Iron particles and other metallic particles are found in this layer. This layer is the coldest of them all, and it can reach -100 degrees C.
The Thermosphere, Ionosphere, and Exosphere
The Thermosphere is the largest layer of the Atmosphere. It goes up more than 700 km. It is made of the Ionosphere, which is the lower part of the Thermosphere, and it reflects radio waves. The Thermosphere is also made up of the Exosphere This makes up the upper part of the Thermosphere, and Satellites are located in this layer. The Aurora Borealis (Northern lights) occur in this region. The Thermosphere can reach temperatures of 200 degrees C.
Satellite in the Exosphere
Radio waves in the Ionosphere.
Aurora Borealis in the Thermosphere
The Magnetosphere
The Magnetosphere is the farthest layer from the Atmosphere from Earth. It goes up over 3000 km. This layer is part of Earths magnetic field. It protects us from Solar wind.