Layers
Troposphere
The troposphere is the layer in which we live in and where most of our weather occurs, consequently where most of the clouds are found. Besides, being a home to clouds this layer is also home to the jet stream. The troposphere extends from Earth's surface to an altitude of 12km, where the tropopause starts.
Stratosphere
The stratosphere starts above the tropopause until 50km. In this layer is usually where hot air balloons and aircrafts reach their maximum elevation since the air starts becoming thinner. Also, this is where the majority of Ozone is located at, which prevents harmful and deathly ultraviolet rays from reaching Earth.
Mesosphere
The mesosphere is the less known layer to humans, since aircrafts cannot reach it and satellites orbit in the higher layers. However, it is known that in this layer is where most meteors vaporize thus preventing them from ever reaching us. This layers starts from the stratopause until 85km and it ends with the mesopause.
Thermosphere
This layer starts at the mesopause and extends to about 600km.
Exosphere
This particular layer starts at the end of the thermosphere and being the last layer, it slowly fades into space. Leaving the atmosphere without a clear boundary separating it from space.
The troposphere is the layer in which we live in and where most of our weather occurs, consequently where most of the clouds are found. Besides, being a home to clouds this layer is also home to the jet stream. The troposphere extends from Earth's surface to an altitude of 12km, where the tropopause starts.
Stratosphere
The stratosphere starts above the tropopause until 50km. In this layer is usually where hot air balloons and aircrafts reach their maximum elevation since the air starts becoming thinner. Also, this is where the majority of Ozone is located at, which prevents harmful and deathly ultraviolet rays from reaching Earth.
Mesosphere
The mesosphere is the less known layer to humans, since aircrafts cannot reach it and satellites orbit in the higher layers. However, it is known that in this layer is where most meteors vaporize thus preventing them from ever reaching us. This layers starts from the stratopause until 85km and it ends with the mesopause.
Thermosphere
This layer starts at the mesopause and extends to about 600km.
Exosphere
This particular layer starts at the end of the thermosphere and being the last layer, it slowly fades into space. Leaving the atmosphere without a clear boundary separating it from space.
layers of atmosphere
Compositon
source: NASA
The great majority of Earths' atmosphere if made up of merely two gases; nitrogen and oxygen make up 99% of our atmosphere. Major Gases:
Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Argon 0.9%
Carbon Dioxide 0.03%
Trace Gases:
Greenhouse gases