[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. Ozone layer lies about 19-32 km over the earths surface. These distances vary slightly due to elevation changes on the Earth. These are generated when cold atmospheric air blends with the hot, humid exhaust. Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas whose molecules are comprised of three oxygen atoms. Ozone layer facts and information - Environment It is the reason why the sky appears blue. Once you leave the stratosphere, and enter the mesosphere, the temperature dramatically decreases until plummeting to around -184 degrees Fahrenheit. The stratosphere the atmosphere's second layer, and is located right above the troposphere and right below the mesosphere. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. Stated another way, it allows the airliner to fly faster while maintaining lift equal to the weight of the plane. The first is due to the reaction of hydroxyl radicals (OH) with ozone. Air density is the lowest, and its temperature can increase up to 1500 degrees Celsius. Convection is when gasses cool down as they rise, allowing them to condense onto air particles and form clouds. The stratosphere also traps certain gasses known as CFC's, which are chemicals derived from aerosol. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. It surrounds our planet, keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breathe, and it is where our weather happens. The particles in this layer are electrically charged, and when they hit each other, aurora australis can be observed. Heat is produced in the process of the formation of Ozone, and this heat is responsible for . So, what does the stratosphere do? Strat means layer. It is called stratosphere because it is stratified in temperature, with warmer layers higher up and cooler layers farther down. Stratopause is the connection between the mesosphere and stratosphere. In the lower atmosphere (the troposphere) near the Earth's surface, ozone is created by chemical reactions between air pollutants . [21] Bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) sometimes migrate over Mount Everest, whose summit is 8,848m (29,029ft). The QBO induces a secondary circulation that is important for the global stratospheric transport of tracers, such as ozone[14] or water vapor. Planes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence and fly longer distances using less fuel. Ozone depletion | Facts, Effects, & Solutions | Britannica This includes the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere, and stratosphere. Earth's atmosphere is a jacket of gases that surrounds our planet. 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. The temperatures in the ozone belt are higher than in the troposphere since the ozone absorbs the ultraviolet rays. Stratosphere Facts - Softschools.com Damage to the ozone layer of the stratosphere occurs naturally when volcanic gases and dust reach the stratosphere, but people have been contributing to this as well with the use of aerosol's containing CFCs. Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms (O 3). It lies above the troposphere, the layer closest to Earth, and below the mesosphere. The infamous ozone layer is found within the stratosphere. 2011 UCAR with portions adapted from Windows to the Universe ( 2009 NESTA). 16. Instead, clouds condense in the troposphere. Although it is situated above the upper reaches of conventional aircraft, scientists are still able to study it through the use of weather balloons, high-altitude aircraft, and also weather (sounding) rockets. Since the ozone layer absorbs UV rays from the sun, it heats up, which allows temperatures to increase as altitude increases. 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). From space, the earth is seen as a blue halo. The Earth's atmosphere is very important, as each layer plays a role for life on Earth. The increase of temperature with altitude is a result of the absorption of the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation by the ozone layer. Theexosphereis really, really big. 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. Its depth also varies from 5.5 to 20 miles depending on latitude as well. 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). This is exactly the opposite of the behavior in the troposphere in which we live, where temperatures drop with increasing altitude. This article focus on the stratosphere, Earth's second layer. Luckily the situation has improved since the ban of chlorofluorocarbon. The top of the stratosphere occurs at an altitude of 50 km (31 miles). [4] The temperature inversion is in contrast to the troposphere, near the Earth's surface, where temperature decreases with altitude. It also allows the airplane to stay above the turbulent weather of the troposphere. Strat means layer. (The ozone layer is too large a topic for this article, but you can read more about it in the following post.). Thermosphere | NASA Space Place - NASA Science for Kids But its not the same everywhere. I feel like its a lifeline. It sets it apart from the other atmospheric layers by temperature rising instead of dropping as altitude increases, a process called temperature inversion. The ozone layer is within the stratosphere, which protect the Earth from harmful radiation emitted by the sun. . But there are no mountains high enough to reach the stratosphere, so you dont have to worry about that. Acid rains form when nitrogen oxide or Sulphur dioxide combines with water vapor in the atmosphere. The layer made of layers Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. These gases are chemically inert, although some can react with various chemicals: carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, methane, ammonia, ozone, and water vapor. 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. Commercial passenger jets fly in the lower stratosphere, partly because this less-turbulent layer provides a smoother ride. 26. This increase of temperature with altitude is characteristic of the stratosphere; its resistance to vertical mixing means that it is stratified. 5. This decrease in temperature with altitude is what causes convection to occur in the troposphere. Stratosphere | NASA Space Place - NASA Science for Kids (Learn more about Nacreous or Polar Stratospheric Clouds in this article.). They result from ionized particles from the sun striking the upper atmosphere above the poles. 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). The holes in the ozone layer have been recorded above the Antarctica seasonally, as well as in other parts of the world. Such is the case for ozone-destroying chemicals called CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, laying just above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. Weather balloons also rise up to this level of the atmosphere to collect data without interference of storm clouds. Troposphere is the thinnest and closest layer to the earths surface. Earth's atmosphere is composed of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and one percent other gases. Since blue light has short wavelengths, it gets reflected more compared to other colors. 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. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. The lack of particles in the air causes less friction to hold an aircraft back, which requires less power to travel faster and further. "Strat" means layer. Interesting Facts About Mercury. Due to the characteristics of the stratosphere, it is a very important part of Earth's atmosphere. He discovered this atmospheric layer by sending a weather balloon up and noticing that the temperature changes differently than it does in the troposphere. It extends upward to a height of about 85 km (53 miles) above our planet. When greenhouse gases rise into the atmosphere, they form chloride ions that destroy the ozone layer by making holes in it. The wind, which is the air current, is generated when the hot air rises and gets replaced by colder air. 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. It is easy & understandable to view our atmosphere as a continuous layer of air. 1. It extends from about 50 to 85 km (31 to 53 miles) above our planet. They are far much apart from that they can move thousands of kilometers without colliding. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. The temperatures at the different atmospheric layers differ depending on solar radiation, humidity, and altitude. Rainbow Facts: What Is A Rainbow And How Does It Occur? Paul J. Crutzen, Mario J. Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for their work describing the formation and decomposition of stratospheric ozone.[9]. PSCs are also called nacreous clouds. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. Certain swans, cranes, and vultures can fly in the lower stratosphere. Stratospheric circulation is a predominantly wave-driven circulation in that the tropical upwelling is induced by the wave force by the westward propagating Rossby waves, in a phenomenon called Rossby-wave pumping. Meteors burn up in the coldest layer, the mesosphere. 27. All air entering the stratosphere must pass through the tropopause, the temperature minimum that divides the troposphere and stratosphere. 40 Unbelievable But True Troposphere Facts | Kidadl The atmosphere has nearly 37.5 million billion gallons of water at any given time. In the 1900s, Hungarian physicist Theodore von Krmn determined the boundary to be around 50 miles up, or roughly 80 kilometers above sea level. 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 atmosphere gradually changes as the climate and weather change. 17. The other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The exosphere gradually fades away into the realm of interplanetary space. Almost all weather is in this region. Stratosphere Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Mercury has an atmosphere that changes with its distance to the Sun. Although the sun and other planets have magnetospheres, the earths magnetosphere is the strongest one of all the rocky planets. It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. It is enough to cover the entire earths surface with 1 cm of rain. Most airplanes or jets travel in the lower part of the stratosphere. Certain birds can fly to this altitude, including cranes, swans, and vultures. Solar ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) separates an oxygen molecule into two different oxygen atoms in the first step. The stratosphere is actually crucial to allowing us to live on earth, because within the stratosphere you will find the ozone layer. The bottom of the stratosphere is around 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above the ground at middle latitudes. If you are interested in the complete structure and make-up of the atmosphere,this articlecovers all five atmospheric layers and their relation to each other in more detail. For years, CFCs - a chemical used in aerosols - were transported the stratosphere via convection and became trapped there. The word 'stratosphere' is derived from the word 'strato' meaning layer, and 'sphere' which is earth's shape. UCAR/Randy Russell It has increased the number of respiratory conditions such as asthma. 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. There are a few other atmospheric layers as well -- you can take a look at a diagram of these below. Facts About the Atmosphere - Overview, Benefits and Its Layers The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. Be grateful! 3. The coldest temperatures in Earth's atmosphere, about -90 C (-130 F), are found near the top of this layer. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. It not only examines what the stratosphere is but also looks at the characteristics or facts that define it. Little-Known Scientific Facts About the Stratosphere Moreover, meteorites falling over the earth burn in this layer. 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. To learn more about each layer of the atmosphere, click the images below. It extends above the tropopause to an altitude of 50 km above the earth. If you were to climb a mountain in the stratosphere you would have to take off your warm clothes as you got closer to the top rather than putting them on like we usually do. Within no time, the vapor from the exhaust freezes and turns visible. The stratosphere ( / strtsfr, - to -/) is the second layer of the atmosphere of the Earth, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. The presence of moisture in the atmosphere is There is very little water vapor in this layer of the atmosphere, so clouds are a rare occurrence. - There are no clouds in the layer, and though . 28. Ozone is a chemical compound consisting of three oxygen atoms. The stratosphere is where youll find the very important ozone layer. The atmosphere consists of five distinct layers, with the stratosphere being the second, situated just above the troposphere. It helps in propagation of the radio waves used in telecommunication. In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The composition of the atmosphere of each celestial body is different. Thats the opposite of how the layers work in the troposphere, where we live. There is no clear-cut upper boundary where the exosphere finally fades away into space. As harmful UV rays from the sun become absorbed in the ozone layer, this layer heats up. This breaking is much more pronounced in the winter hemisphere where this region is called the surf zone. stratosphere The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, which extends on average from about 10 to 50 km above the Earth's surface. 35. 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. A Division ofAutumn Skies Online (Pty) Ltd Disclaimer It is possible to send research balloons into the stratosphere. Facts About The Exosphere: The Outermost Layer Of The Atmosphere. This creates a smoother ride for passengers, as there are few clouds or weather in the stratosphere. The ozone layer helps protect us from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. They are much similar to warm breath during cold weather. Its upper edge has maximum ozone concentration, referred to as the ozone belt. 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]. [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. 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. Ionosphere plays a vital role in radio signals broadcast on the earths surface. As altitude increases, air density in the layers of the atmosphere decrease.
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