Shortened Layers of the Atmosphere

Troposphere

0-17 km above Earth's surface, site of weather, organisms, contains most atmospheric water vapor. (temperature decreases with increasing altitude, pressure decreases)

Stratosphere

extends from 10 to 30 miles up; location of ozone layer; absorbs 95% of Ultraviolet radiation; temperature increases with altitude increase.

Mesosphere

layer of Earth's atmosphere that protects Earth's surface from being hit by meteoroids. Above the stratosphere

Thermosphere

hottest layer of the atmosphere, aurora borealis (the northern lights) occur here. Above the mesosphere.

Exosphere

The outer layer of the thermosphere, extending outward into space. International space station and satellites orbit here

Ionosphere

Reflects radio waves back to earth. the lower part of the thermosphere, where electrically charged particles called ions are found

Where weather occurs

in the Troposphere

Ozone Layer

Protective layer in atmosphere that shields earth from UV radiation.

Jet stream

a high-speed high-altitude airstream blowing from west to east near the top of the troposphere, bottom of the stratosphere

Aurora Borealis

a colorful, glowing display in the sky caused when particles from the sun strike oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the thermosphere; also called the Northern Lights

shooting stars

caused by meteors burning up in the mesosphere

oxygen

21% of the atmosphere

nitrogen

78% of the atmosphere, most abundant gas