Layers of Atmosphere

• Closest layer to the surface of Earth
• We live in this layer.
• Temperature decreases as you move upward.
• Weather occurs in this level.
• Hot air balloons & passenger planes fly here.
• Gases flow and swirl all around.
• Contains the most mass of the atmosphere.
• Extends anywhere from 5 miles - 11miles above Earth's surface. (8-18 km)

Troposphere

• Temperature increases the higher you get in this layer.
• High radiation and x-rays from the Sun are absorbed here. This heats the layer to sometimes thousands of degrees.
• Norther and Souther Lights appear here.
• International Space Sation spends its time orbiting Earth here.

Thermosphere

• Air in this layer is very thin.
• Most satalittes orbit Earth in this layer.
• Highest layer, and the beginning of space.
• No clear boundary between this layer and space. Some scientists say it stops at 3,000 km, others say 10,000 km.

Exosphere

• Gases are more stable and form flat layers.

• Temperatures increase as you travel up in the stratosphere.
• Stratosphere extends 11 - 31 miles above the surface of Earth. (18km - 50km)
• Ozone Layer occurs here. It protects the Earth from harmful radiation from the Sun.
• Weather balloons fly up to this level before popping and returning to Earth.
• Military and spy aircraft fly in the stratosphere.

Stratosphere

Mesosphere

• Temperature decreases as you move upward in this layer.
• Coldest temperatures in the atmosphere are found at the top of this layer. ( -130 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Mesosphere extends up to 53 miles above the Earth's surface.
• Air is too thin to breathe in this layer.
• Meteors burn up in the Mesosphere.