what are 3 facts about the stratosphere

The resultant breaking causes large-scale mixing of air and other trace gases throughout the midlatitude surf zone. 2023 TheFactFile.Org. It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion occurs and the region where the ozone layer is situated. Airplanes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence. It extends from about 50 to 85 km (31 to 53 miles) above our planet. The composition of the atmosphere of each celestial body is different. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. Thus it means layer which surrounds the earth. Facts About The Exosphere: The Outermost Layer Of The Atmosphere. The stratosphere was discovered in 1900 by French meteorologist Lon Teisserenc de Bort. Because of this, jet aircraft and weather balloons reach their maximum operational altitudes within the stratosphere. It contains 80% of the atmospheric weight, making it the densest layer. Ozone is a chemical compound consisting of three oxygen atoms. The particles in this layer are electrically charged, and when they hit each other, aurora australis can be observed. The atmosphere is one of four spheres of the earth, which include the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere. [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]. Moving upward from ground level, these layers are called the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Stratospheric warming of the polar vortex results in its weakening. Along with the neutral upper atmosphere, the ionosphere forms the boundary between Earth's lower atmosphere where we live and breathe and the vacuum of space. The Earth's atmosphere is very important, as each layer plays a role for life on Earth. Some researchers and even students have sent helium balloons with cameras to record the stratosphere. 3090 Center Green Drive, Boulder, CO 80301, Virtual Ballooning to Explore the Atmosphere, ACOM | Atmospheric Chemistry Observations & Modeling, CISL | Computational & Information Systems, EdEC | Education, Engagement & Early-Career Development, Government Relations & External Engagement. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. The following list highlights the characteristics and facts of the stratosphere in more detail. In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. The stratosphere contains approximately 19% of the earth's total atmospheric gases. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. 4 However, as you enter the stratosphere, the ozone gas absorbs the ultraviolet light entering the atmosphere from the sun. Rocket launches inject exhaust gases into the stratosphere, producing uncertain consequences. Different definitions place the top of the exosphere somewhere between 100,000 km (62,000 miles) and 190,000 km (120,000 miles) above the surface of Earth. Ozone protects life on Earth from the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It changes sometimes unpredictably Terms & Conditions Louise Fisher has taught middle school students introductory physics topics for two years. [20], Some bird species have been reported to fly at the upper levels of the troposphere. 9. Above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. Its about 6,200 miles (10,000 kilometers) thick. It starts to glow, and the rocks begin to fly off. Such is the case for ozone-destroying chemicals called CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). These free-moving elements continuously escape into space due to ballistic trajectories. These elements react with toxic gases, salt, smoke, and volcanic ash. 34. Ninety-nine percent of the gases that compose the atmosphere are located below a height of 32 km (20 miles). There are five layers of the Earth's atmosphere. Its upper edge has maximum ozone concentration, referred to as the ozone belt. 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. As mentioned in the introduction, certain birds such as cranes, swans, and vultures can fly at this altitude. Composed of mostly nitrogen and oxygen, the stratosphere also contains the ozone layer. 7. It keeps us warm, it gives us oxygen to breathe, and its where our weather happens. It also allows the airplane to stay above the turbulent weather of the troposphere. The air has a very low density that you get into the interplanetary space without a manifest limit. This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. However, temperature increases with altitude in the stratosphere, which is opposite from the troposphere. 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. The rapid photolysis and reformation of ozone heat the stratosphere, resulting in a temperature inversion. It is in the thermosphere that the space shuttle flew. 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 ozone layer helps protect us from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. This creates a smoother ride for passengers, as there are few clouds or weather in the stratosphere. There are little to no clouds in the stratosphere from the lack of convection. Instead, clouds condense in the troposphere. Due to the high speed of the meteor, it generates a lot of heat resulting from high friction between the particles and the meteor. 2 It extends from a height of approximately 65 km (40 miles) to 85 km (53 miles) above the Earth's surface. Geomagnetic solar storms caused by solar flares or solar winds can disrupt activities in the ionosphere, causing difficulty in transmitting radio signals and global positioning system signals. [7] Molecular oxygen absorbs high energy sunlight in the UV-C region, at wavelengths shorter than about 240nm. The stratosphere is where youll find the very important ozone layer. But there are no mountains high enough to reach the stratosphere, so you dont have to worry about that. All Rights Reserved. Sunlight is reflected in every direction by the gases present in the atmosphere. The image above illustrates the layers of Earth's atmosphere and their approximate distances from the Earth's surface. Convection is when gases cool as they rise, allowing them to condense on air molecules which form clouds. Stated another way, it allows the airliner to fly faster while maintaining lift equal to the weight of the plane. The Earth's atmosphere is made up of roughly 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, and 0.1% other gases. N.Butchart, A.A. Scaife, J. Austin, S.H.E. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. That means that to get to outer space, you have to be really far from Earth. He concluded that there was another layer in the atmosphere above the troposphere, which he called the stratosphere. 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. The rising air is literally freeze dried; the stratosphere is a very dry place. To learn more about each layer of the atmosphere, click the images below. The stratospheric air is extremely thin and dry since the vast majority of atmospheric gases (and weather activity) are limited to 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. The jet stream flows near the border between the troposphere and the stratosphere. 77 Amazing, Interesting, and Exciting Facts about the Atmosphere 28. 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. Certain birds will even fly in the stratosphere, including swans, cranes, and vultures! Hare, J.R. Knight. The troposphere is where we breath in and is also referred to as the lower atmosphere. It is the highest layer. As you might imagine, the "air" in the exosphere is very, very, very thin, making this layer even more space-like than the thermosphere. Without the stratosphere, life on Earth would be much different, if not non-existent. Sydney Chapman gave a correct description of the source of stratospheric ozone and its ability to generate heat within the stratosphere;[citation needed] he also wrote that ozone may be destroyed by reacting with atomic oxygen, making two molecules of molecular oxygen. The importance of the stratosphere is highlighted by the presence of the ozone layer, without which no life on Earth will be possible. Stratosphere. The stratosphere (/strtsfr, -to-/) is the second layer of the atmosphere of the Earth, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. They go from the ground all the way to outer space. 32. It has increased the number of respiratory conditions such as asthma. The air density is also very low, making it less turbulent to travel through. [24], Seinfeld, J. H., and S. N.(2006), Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change 2nd ed, Wiley, New Jersey. 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 stratosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen. Due to the characteristics of the stratosphere, it is a very important part of Earth's atmosphere. This is the opposite of what happens in the troposphere, where an increasing altitude yields a decrease in temperature. The stratosphere also has an increasing temperature with increasing altitude, which is different than what happens in the troposphere. Most of the clouds form in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. At an altitude of 100 km above sea level, a border represents the separation between the atmosphere and outer space. Learn about the stratosphere, including the stratosphere's definition and importance. Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms (O 3). [6], The mechanism describing the formation of the ozone layer was described by British mathematician Sydney Chapman in 1930. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. What are the characteristics of the five layers of the atmosphere? It is located just above the troposphere, which is the first layer of the atmosphere closest to the ground. This includes the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere, and stratosphere. 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. 30. [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 . The stratosphere is where youll find the very important ozone layer. These "blue jets" appear above thunderstorms, and extend from the bottom of the stratosphere up to altitudes of 40 or 50 km (25 to 31 miles). However, the air in this layer is so thin that it would feel freezing cold to us! Layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere. Other gases that make up the remaining 0.1 percent include trace amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, and neon. Clouds rarely form in the stratosphere for this reason as well, as the air is very dry. - This is the second layer of the atmosphere from the surface of the earth, and lies between the troposphere and the mesosphere. The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site. Ionization takes place in the ionosphere caused by the suns radiation. The other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stratosphere&oldid=1140010063, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 00:23. The exosphere gradually fades away into the realm of interplanetary space. It contains most of our Earth's water vapour, and is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Commercial airliners fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the weather, travel faster, and save fuel. The atmospheric gases must retain the heat in the sun rays and reflect them to the earth to keep it warm. This allows the stratosphere to have an increasing temperature with altitude. 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). Composition of the Earth's atmosphere. Commercial jet aircraft fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the turbulence which is common in the troposphere below. Almost all weather is in this region. 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. It is the only layer of the atmosphere where temperature inversion occurs. Earth's atmosphere is a jacket of gases that surrounds our planet. Since the ozone layer absorbs UV rays from the sun, it heats up, which allows temperatures to increase as altitude increases. Clouds form when water vapor condenses into a liquid, and with very little water, vapor condensation is virtually impossible. The troposphere, the lowest layer, is right below the stratosphere. She earned her bachelor's in Physics and Astronomy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Ozone in turn is photolysed much more rapidly than molecular oxygen as it has a stronger absorption that occurs at longer wavelengths, where the solar emission is more intense.