The top of the stratosphere occurs at an altitude of 50 km (31 miles). The stratosphere has many defining features that make it a unique part of the atmosphere. [21] Bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) sometimes migrate over Mount Everest, whose summit is 8,848m (29,029ft). The air in the stratosphere is about 1000 thinner than the air at sea level in the troposphere. As altitude increases, air density in the layers of the atmosphere decrease. It also consists of a layer known as the ozone layer, a blanket of ozone that absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. Commercial airliners fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the weather, travel faster, and save fuel. Planes and jets will sometimes choose to fly in the stratosphere, where there are no clouds or weather that can affect the ride. There are five layers of the Earth's atmosphere. The coldest temperatures in Earth's atmosphere, about -90 C (-130 F), are found near the top of this layer. . Certain birds can fly to this altitude, including cranes, swans, and vultures. Without the stratosphere, life on Earth would be much different, if not non-existent. This results in an increase in temperature from about -76 degrees Fahrenheit to around 5 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. The stratosphere is a layer of Earths atmosphere. 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. (Learn more about Nacreous or Polar Stratospheric Clouds in this article.). This ozone layer is important for man's survival, and for the survival of life on earth, as it absorbs the UV radiation from the sun that would otherwise be deadly. But its not the same everywhere. Also, magnetic and south poles reverse at uneven intervals of hundreds of thousands of years. Troposphere - The lowest level of our atmosphere is called the Troposphere. In this article, we are going to learn about the atmosphere. It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion occurs and the region where the ozone layer is situated. [12] Eustace also broke the world records for vertical speed skydiving, reached with a peak velocity of 1,321km/h (822mph) and total freefall distance of 123,414ft (37,617m) lasting four minutes and 27 seconds.[13]. Facts About Stratosphere - GKToday The air has a very low density that you get into the interplanetary space without a manifest limit. 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). In fact it is not easy to distinguish between space and not space because of the fact that the Earths atmosphere doesnt simply vanish; rather, it gradually becomes thinner and thinner over about 600 miles. As a meteor begins to enter this layer, it rapidly bumps into mesosphere particles and scrapes against them. 3. This is due to gravity, but mostly due to the temperature inversion in the tropopause that prevents gases from entering the layer. Current map of global winds and temperatures at the 10 hPa level. It's about 6,200 miles (10,000 kilometers) thick. The Stratosphere | Center for Science Education The photosynthesis process enables plants to take up carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere. Most meteors burn up in the mesosphere. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. 35. For this reason, humans would not be able to survive at this altitude without being inside of a plane, rocket, or some type of enclosed environment where air density can be regulated. Temperature increases with height until the estimated top of the thermosphere at 500 km. We take a closer look at the stratosphere and its defining characteristics. Due to the characteristics of the stratosphere, it is a very important part of Earth's atmosphere. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere is a layer of gases retained by gravity on the earth. Facts About The Exosphere: The Outermost Layer Of The Atmosphere. Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Earth is a great planet to live on because it has a wonderful atmosphere around it. 10 Things to Know About the Ionosphere - NASA Solar System Exploration Earth's atmosphere is a jacket of gases that surrounds our planet. 1. It borders the mesosphere above through a thin transitional space called the stratopause. It has increased the number of respiratory conditions such as asthma. The stratosphere was discovered in 1900 by French meteorologist Lon Teisserenc de Bort. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. It also allows the airplane to stay above the turbulent weather of the troposphere. 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. A two-step reactive mechanism produces ozone in the stratosphere naturally. Moreover, meteorites falling over the earth burn in this layer. The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, laying just above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. - 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? It is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. But there are no mountains high enough to reach the stratosphere, so you dont have to worry about that. She earned her bachelor's in Physics and Astronomy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. 3. Stratosphere - Definition, Functions & Characteristics with Videos - BYJUS 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 ozone layer lies in the stratosphere, which absorb the majority of harmful UV radiation from the sun. Thats the opposite of how the layers work in the troposphere, where we live. Other gases such as carbon dioxide, argon, helium, and neon occupy the remaining portion. Blue jets are an extremely rare form of lightning or electrical discharge from clouds in the troposphere. The temperature increases to about negative {eq}5 {/eq} F in the stratosphere. As a result, the air in the stratosphere is about 1000 times thinner in the stratosphere than at sea level in the troposphere. (The ozone layer is too large a topic for this article, but you can read more about it in the following post.). 4. Clouds form due to convection, which is uncommon in the stratosphere. There are forms of biological bacteria living in the stratosphere. She has taught in K-12 for more than 15 years, and higher education for ten years. Layers of the Atmosphere | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. (The fuel consumption depends on the drag, which is related to the lift by the lift-to-drag ratio.) A.A. Scaife, J.R. Knight, G.K. Vallis, C.K. Stratosphere | NASA Space Place - NASA Science for Kids The stratosphere can be as deep 20 miles or as shallow as 5.5 miles. (The lack of weather activity in the stratosphere also allows aircraft to avoid adverse weather conditions by flying in the lower stratosphere above the weather.). Stratosphere | atmospheric region | Britannica Another large-scale feature that significantly influences stratospheric circulation is the breaking planetary waves[15] resulting in intense quasi-horizontal mixing in the midlatitudes. #1. The troposphere starts at the Earth's surface and extends 8 to 14.5 kilometers high (5 to 9 miles). If you do your calculations, each water vapor particle spends approximately nine days in the atmosphere. Meteors burn up in the coldest layer, the mesosphere. 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). Thats almost as wide as Earth itself. Life as we know it wouldnt be possible without this layer of protection. Weather balloons also rise up to this level of the atmosphere to collect data without interference of storm clouds. 33. It surrounds our planet, keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breathe, and it is where our weather happens. The next higher layer above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. Convection is when gasses cool down as they rise, allowing them to condense onto air particles and form clouds. UCAR/Randy Russell Cred: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio 3. The Mesosphere | Center for Science Education The bottom of the stratosphere is around 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above the ground at middle latitudes. Because the temperature in the tropopause and lower stratosphere is largely constant with increasing altitude, very little convection and its resultant turbulence occurs there. It acts as a giant sponge and absorbs the vast majority of the sun's dangerous Ultraviolet Light. 77 Amazing, Interesting, and Exciting Facts about the Atmosphere Without it, the earths surface would be so cold that living here would not be possible. When the ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation, it actually causes another phenomenon that is used to identify different layers in the atmosphere. That trend of rising temperatures with altitude means that air in the stratosphere lacks the turbulence and updrafts of the troposphere beneath. Polar Stratospheric Clouds develop in this layer near the poles at an altitude of 15 - 25 kilometers. Despite Mercury's weak magnetic field, it behaves similarly to Earth's. It keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breathe, and it is where our weather happens. 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! 10. 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). It extends above the tropopause to an altitude of 50 km above the earth. Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. 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 Stratosphere also has three thrill rides at the top. These gases are found in layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere) defined by unique features such as temperature and pressure. However, it is made up out of five different layers: The troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. Instead, clouds condense in the troposphere. The atmosphere gradually changes as the climate and weather change. This site is owned and operated by Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd, a limited liability company headquartered in Somerset West, South Africa. It contains the ozone layer and is between the troposphere, the first layer of the atmosphere, and the mesosphere, the third layer of the atmosphere. They are a combination of supercooled water and nitric acid that develop at very low temperatures.
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