Terms & Conditions Stratosphere - Definition, Functions & Characteristics with Videos - BYJUS These gases are chemically inert, although some can react with various chemicals: carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, methane, ammonia, ozone, and water vapor. It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. Instead, clouds condense in the troposphere. As this article clearly illustrated, the stratosphere has a crucial role to play in maintaining the atmosphere and all life in it. The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. These distances vary slightly due to elevation changes on the Earth. 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. It acts as a giant sponge and absorbs the vast majority of the sun's dangerous Ultraviolet Light. ], 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 jet stream flows near the border between the troposphere and the stratosphere. UCAR/Randy Russell 34. This allows the stratosphere to have an increasing temperature with altitude. Here are 50 Interesting facts about the atmosphere that you probably didnt know. Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. The layer made of layers. No tracking or performance measurement cookies were served with this page. The stratosphere also traps certain gasses known as CFC's, which are chemicals derived from aerosol. One wild characteristic of the stratosphere is a phenomenon that occurs, which is known as blue jets. The definition of the stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, extending from about 6 miles to 30 miles, or 10km to 50km, above the Earth's surface. 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. That's the opposite of how the . Because of this temperature stratification, there is little convection and mixing in the stratosphere, so the layers of air there are quite stable. The other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Ozone (O3) photolysis produces O and O2. The main gases are nitrogen and oxygen, which make up 99% of the atmosphere. 25. The mesosphere is directly above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. Approximately 90 percent of the atmosphere's ozone occurs in the stratosphere, the region extending from 10-18 km (6-11 miles) to approximately 50 km (about 30 miles) above Earth's surface. The stratosphere has many defining features that make it a unique part of the atmosphere. This article focus on the stratosphere, Earth's second layer. Air density in this layer gradually decreases as you go higher. Sunlight is reflected in every direction by the gases present in the atmosphere. (Learn more about Nacreous or Polar Stratospheric Clouds in this article.). 3 It borders the stratosphere below through a thin transitional space called the stratopause. Clouds form due to convection, which is uncommon in the stratosphere. The stratosphere is a layer of Earths atmosphere. 40 Unbelievable But True Troposphere Facts | Kidadl At Home Show All Free Coloring Pages Free Dot to Dot Printables Free Printable Stencils Funnies Trivia Birthdays Books Creative, Arts & Crafts Its concentration in the atmosphere naturally fluctuates depending on seasons and latitudes, but it was . Layers of Earth's Atmosphere | Center for Science Education That trend of rising temperatures with altitude means that air in the stratosphere lacks the turbulence and updrafts of the troposphere beneath. There are five layers of the Earth's atmosphere. We take a closer look at the stratosphere and its defining characteristics. The atmosphere has nearly 37.5 million billion gallons of water at any given time. The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful radiation emitted from the Sun. Temperature decreases with height throughout 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. They are found at altitudes of 15 to 25 km (9.3 to 15.5 miles) and form only when temperatures at those heights dip below -78 C. They appear to help cause the formation of the infamous holes in the ozone layer by "encouraging" certain chemical reactions that destroy ozone. This is due to the temperature changes within the stratosphere. 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. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. The infamous ozone layer is found within the stratosphere. The Earth's atmosphere is very important, as each layer plays a role for life on Earth. Since the ozone layer absorbs UV rays from the sun, it heats up, which allows temperatures to increase as altitude increases. 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. 10. As altitude increases, air density in the layers of the atmosphere decrease. This results in an increase in temperature from about -76 degrees Fahrenheit to around 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Most clouds appear here, mainly because 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. stratosphere The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, which extends on average from about 10 to 50 km above the Earth's surface. I feel like its a lifeline. You might have seen planes leaving white condensation trails. Almost all weather is in this region. The height of the bottom of the stratosphere varies with latitude and with the seasons. The Brief Overview. Once you leave the stratosphere, and enter the mesosphere, the temperature dramatically decreases until plummeting to around -184 degrees Fahrenheit. Thats the opposite of how the layers work in the troposphere, where we live. The Earth's atmosphere is a mixture of several gases. The stratospheric air is extremely thin and dry since the vast majority of atmospheric gases (and weather activity) are limited to the troposphere. Unlike the stratosphere, temperatures once again grow colder as you rise up through the mesosphere. This is exactly the opposite of the behavior in the troposphere in which we live, where temperatures drop with increasing altitude. 50 Interesting Facts About The Atmosphere - The Fact File The rising air is literally freeze dried; the stratosphere is a very dry place. 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. The top of the stratosphere is called the stratopause, above which the temperature decreases with height. Learn about the stratosphere, including the stratosphere's definition and importance. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. Mercury has an atmosphere that changes with its distance to the Sun. He discovered this atmospheric layer by sending a weather balloon up and noticing that the temperature changes differently than it does in the troposphere. 21. Moreover, it regulates the temperature extremes that are likely to occur between day and night. 16. Mesosphere lies between 50-85 km above sea level. It is easy & understandable to view our atmosphere as a continuous layer of air. As a meteor begins to enter this layer, it rapidly bumps into mesosphere particles and scrapes against them. They are much similar to warm breath during cold weather. Starting at ground level, it extends upward to about 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above sea level. The stratosphere is abundant in ozone, a type of oxygen molecule that absorbs the sun's ultraviolet radiation and uses it to heat this layer in the atmosphere. They result from ionized particles from the sun striking the upper atmosphere above the poles. 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. 40 Unbelievable But True Troposphere Facts | Kidadl There is no clear-cut upper boundary where the exosphere finally fades away into space. Stratosphere Facts, Characteristics & Composition | What is the Facts About The Mesosphere - What It Is And Its Defining Characteristics These gases are found in layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere) defined by unique features such as temperature and pressure. Atmosphere Atmosphere and Its Layers Stratosphere. The other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site. stratosphere: [noun] the part of the earth's atmosphere which extends from the top of the troposphere to about 30 miles (50 kilometers) above the surface and in which temperature increases gradually to about 32 F (0 C) and clouds rarely form. The increase of temperature with altitude is a result of the absorption of the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation by the ozone layer. 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. 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). The following list highlights the characteristics and facts of the stratosphere in more detail. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. Three Highest Thrill Rides in the World. The mesosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. Moreover, the distance between the molecules increases as you move up the different layers. Commercial jet aircraft fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the turbulence which is common in the troposphere below. From space, the earth is seen as a blue halo. The thermosphere is home to the International Space Station as it orbits Earth. They shoot upwards through the stratosphere in a blue column to altitudes as high as 50km! Earth's atmosphere is similar to a jacket for our planet. Ozone protects life on Earth from the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A rare type of electrical discharge, somewhat akin to lightning, occurs in the stratosphere. Thus it means layer which surrounds the earth. There are some species of birds capable of flying in the stratosphere. The aurora, the Northern Lights and Southern Lights, occur in the thermosphere. The temperatures in the ozone belt are higher than in the troposphere since the ozone absorbs the ultraviolet rays. Layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere. It is like a giant magnet and retains high-energy particles, thereby protecting the earth. Layers of the Atmosphere | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The atmosphere has nearly 37.5 million billion gallons of water at any given time. 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. Earths atmosphere has six different layers. 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. The stratosphere is a layer of extremely stratified air that rises 40 kilometres above the tropopause and comprises about 20% of the atmosphere's mass. The stratosphere is a layer of Earths atmosphere. It extends upward to a height of about 85 km (53 miles) above our planet. The burning of fossil fuels discharges carbon dioxide, while agricultural developments deposit a lot of methane and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. The exosphere gradually fades away into the realm of interplanetary space. 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. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Because of this, jet aircraft and weather balloons reach their maximum operational altitudes within the stratosphere. Ozone is a blue pungent-smelling gas that helps to absorb the ultraviolet radiation in the sun rays. Ozone layer lies about 19-32 km over the earths surface. Ozone, an unusual type of oxygen molecule that is relatively abundant in the stratosphere, heats this layer as it absorbs energy from incoming ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. The stratosphere ends where it transitions to the mesosphere, around 50 kilometers above the earth. High-energy X-rays and UV radiation from the Sun are absorbed in the thermosphere, raising its temperature to hundreds or at times thousands of degrees. Acid rains form when nitrogen oxide or Sulphur dioxide combines with water vapor in the atmosphere. The amount of water vapour in the stratosphere is very low, and because of this there are no clouds in the stratosphere. In many ways, the thermosphere is more like outer space than a part of the atmosphere. Current map of global winds and temperatures at the 10 hPa level. "Strat" means layer. Ozone is important for ensuring that just the right amount of ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth. The stratosphere extends from the top of the troposphere to about 50 km (31 miles) above the ground. 2. 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. 28. They go from the ground all the way to outer space. The stratosphere is very dry air and contains little water vapor. It sets it apart from the other atmospheric layers by temperature rising instead of dropping as altitude increases, a process called temperature inversion. Although the sun and other planets have magnetospheres, the earths magnetosphere is the strongest one of all the rocky planets. It has different layers with different qualities. The water exists in the form of vapor and invisible to plain eyes. The bottom of the stratosphere is around 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above the ground at middle latitudes. The latter value is about halfway to the Moon! PSCs appear in the lower stratosphere near the poles in winter. While the stratosphere is dry, additional water vapor is produced in situ by the photochemical oxidation of methane (CH4). The atmosphere comprises five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. It lies above the troposphere, the layer closest to Earth, and below the mesosphere. The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. The atmospheric gases must retain the heat in the sun rays and reflect them to the earth to keep it warm. Moreover, meteorites falling over the earth burn in this layer. The ozone layer lies in the stratosphere, which absorb the majority of harmful UV radiation from the sun. The ozone layer is a layer of gas within the stratosphere that protects the Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet sun rays. 90% of the ozone layer is found in the stratosphere's upper crust. The thermosphere extends from about 90 km to 500 kmand 1,000 km above our planet. However, as you enter the stratosphere, the ozone gas absorbs the ultraviolet light entering the atmosphere from the sun. 30. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. Rainbow Facts: What Is A Rainbow And How Does It Occur? On October 24, 2014, Alan Eustace became the record holder for reaching the altitude record for a manned balloon at 135,890ft (41,419m). Composed of mostly nitrogen and oxygen, the stratosphere also contains the ozone layer. The stratosphere ( / strtsfr, - to -/) is the second layer of the atmosphere of the Earth, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. Ozone depletion is a major environmental problem because it increases the amount of ultraviolet (UV . The coldest temperatures in Earth's atmosphere, about -90 C (-130 F), are found near the top of this layer. The lack of particles in the air causes less friction to hold an aircraft back, which requires less power to travel faster and further. The more humid the atmosphere is, the thicker the contrails will be. Stratosphere Facts - Softschools.com Stated another way, it allows the airliner to fly faster while maintaining lift equal to the weight of the plane. 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. The ozone layer helps protect us from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. #1. They are far much apart from that they can move thousands of kilometers without colliding. [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. 31. Each year, this large amount of water is recycled about 40 times. Commercial passenger jets fly in the lower stratosphere, partly because this less-turbulent layer provides a smoother ride. Its depth also varies from 5.5 to 20 miles depending on latitude as well. As a result, the air in the stratosphere is about 1000 times thinner in the stratosphere than at sea level in the troposphere. Stratopause is the connection between the mesosphere and stratosphere. It not only examines what the stratosphere is but also looks at the characteristics or facts that define it. Although some experts consider the thermosphere to be the uppermost layer of our atmosphere, others consider the exosphere to be the actual "final frontier" of Earth's gaseous envelope. In addition, solar proton events can significantly affect ozone levels via radiolysis with the subsequent formation of OH. This site is owned and operated by Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd, a limited liability company headquartered in Somerset West, South Africa. As the altitude increases, the atmosphere diminishes which is the reason why the air pressure in the exosphere is shallow. This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. It also allows the airplane to stay above the turbulent weather of the troposphere. The atmosphere surrounds our planet like the peel of an orange. Meteors burn up in the coldest layer, the mesosphere. Ozone layer | Description, Importance, & Facts | Britannica Layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere . The image above illustrates the layers of Earth's atmosphere and their approximate distances from the Earth's surface. This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. It extends above the tropopause to an altitude of 50 km above the earth. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. We live in the troposphere, which is the layer of the atmosphere closest to earth. While common in the troposphere, very little convection takes place in 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. 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. Many satellites actually orbit Earth within the thermosphere! Thislayerseparates the rest of the atmosphere from outer space. Ionosphere plays a vital role in radio signals broadcast on the earths surface. - 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? [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 to the planetary surface of the Earth. Brewer-Dobson Circulation occurs in the stratosphere. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. The photosynthesis process enables plants to take up carbon dioxide and release oxygen into 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. In this region, the temperature increases with height. 4. In 1985, they observed a hole in the ozone layer above the Antarctic. It keeps us warm, it gives us oxygen to breathe, and its where our weather happens. Though the atmosphere may appear uniform to the naked eye, it is actually similar to a layer cake. [4] Temperatures range from an average of 51C (60F; 220K) near the tropopause to an average of 15C (5.0F; 260K) near the mesosphere. The troposphere, the lowest layer, is right below the stratosphere. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. It is the highest layer. Atmosphere Layers: Facts About the Atmosphere Layers Providing an environment conducive to good instruction and motivation in which there is an atmosphere of self-motivation and self-discipline in the areas of personal development, character, and academic integrity. 32. 5. Create your account. [18] When the vortex is strong, it keeps the cold, high-pressure air masses contained in the Arctic; when the vortex weakens, air masses move equatorward, and results in rapid changes of weather in the mid latitudes. Also, magnetic and south poles reverse at uneven intervals of hundreds of thousands of years. The stratosphere is very cold, ranging in temperatures from negative 68F to negative 5F. 19. The troposphere is the lowest layer of our atmosphere. Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) are the exception. Earth's atmosphere has six layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, the ionosphere, and the exosphere. However, it is made up out of five different layers: The troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Other gases that make up the remaining 0.1 percent include trace amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, and neon. Composition of the Earth's atmosphere. 29. [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. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. The electrically charged atoms and molecules that are formed in this way are called ions, giving the ionosphere its name and endowing this region with some special properties. 9. 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]. As you rise through the troposphere, the temperature decreases to around -60 degrees Fahrenheit. They have been observed by airline pilots and the international space station. The layer made of layers Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. Planes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence and fly longer distances using less fuel. The rapid photolysis and reformation of ozone heat the stratosphere, resulting in a temperature inversion. The air has a very low density that you get into the interplanetary space without a manifest limit. Instead, the ionosphere is a series of regions in parts of the mesosphere and thermosphere where high-energy radiation from the Sun has knocked electrons loose from their parent atoms and molecules. 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. These elements react with toxic gases, salt, smoke, and volcanic ash. The next higher layer above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. It is seen in high latitude areas as shimmering curtains of lights that are visible at night. The atmospheric balance is jeopardized by human activities that cause global warming, greenhouse effect, ozone belt destruction, air contamination, and acid rains. This increase of temperature with altitude is characteristic of the stratosphere; its resistance to vertical mixing means that it is stratified. The ozone layer is within the stratosphere, which protect the Earth from harmful radiation emitted by the sun.