But its not the same everywhere. 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. 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 other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Be grateful! The thermosphere is home to the International Space Station as it orbits Earth. It surrounds the globe and protects it by absorbing the infrared rays from the sun. The atmosphere is about 500 km thick, with a mix of more than ten different gases. Stratosphere - The Stratosphere makes up around 25% of the total of Earth's atmosphere, and is home to more than 90% of our Earth's O-Zone layer. #1. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. 26. This article focus on the stratosphere, Earth's second layer. Meteorological phenomena are limited to the troposphere since they result from the earths rotation and suns radiation on the atmosphere. Since the stratosphere has increasing temperature with elevation, convection is very rare. 2011 UCAR with portions adapted from Windows to the Universe ( 2009 NESTA). The other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Ozone is a blue pungent-smelling gas that helps to absorb the ultraviolet radiation in the sun rays. This layer holds 19 percent of the atmosphere's gases but very little water vapor. This includes its location, what it is composed of, the temperature range, and its density. As it absorbs the UV light, it absorbs energy. The stratosphere is very cold, ranging in temperatures from negative 68F to negative 5F. There are no storms or turbulence here to mix up the air, so cold, heavy air is at the bottom and warm, light air is at the top. It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. They go from the ground all the way to outer space. What are the characteristics of the five layers of the atmosphere? The exosphere is really, really big. 2023 TheFactFile.Org. Commercial jet aircraft fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the turbulence which is common in the troposphere below. As a result of the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). "Strat" means layer. Clouds form when water vapor condenses into a liquid, and with very little water, vapor condensation is virtually impossible. Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) are the exception. It borders the troposphere below through a thin transitional space called the tropopause. The stratosphere was discovered in 1900 by French meteorologist Lon Teisserenc de Bort. They have been observed by airline pilots and the international space station. The stratosphere extends from the tropopause at about 10 to 17 km (about 6 to 11 miles) altitude to its upper boundary (the stratopause) at . Moving upward from ground level, these layers are called the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. [4] Temperatures range from an average of 51C (60F; 220K) near the tropopause to an average of 15C (5.0F; 260K) near the mesosphere. The temperatures in the ozone belt are higher than in the troposphere since the ozone absorbs the ultraviolet rays. It lies above the troposphere, the layer closest to Earth, and below the mesosphere. In the lower atmosphere (the troposphere) near the Earth's surface, ozone is created by chemical reactions between air pollutants . Although humans would not be able to survive in the stratosphere due to thin air and frigid temperatures, there is life that can and does survive there. The exosphere is the very edge of our atmosphere. Its upper edge has maximum ozone concentration, referred to as the ozone belt. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The stratosphere also has an increasing temperature with increasing altitude, which is different than what happens in the troposphere. Acid rains form when nitrogen oxide or Sulphur dioxide combines with water vapor in the atmosphere. Because the temperature in the tropopause and lower stratosphere is largely constant with increasing altitude, very little convection and its resultant turbulence occurs there. 8. Planes and jets will sometimes choose to fly in the stratosphere, where there are no clouds or weather that can affect the ride. 4. Because of this temperature stratification, there is little convection and mixing in the stratosphere, so the layers of air there are quite stable. The stratosphere begins at around 10 kilometers above the surface of the earth. Ozone layer (highest concentration of ozone in the atmosphere) The ozone layer is a thin layer of the stratosphere made of a gas called ozone. 3 It borders the stratosphere below through a thin transitional space called the stratopause. Another large-scale feature that significantly influences stratospheric circulation is the breaking planetary waves[15] resulting in intense quasi-horizontal mixing in the midlatitudes. 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). They are much similar to warm breath during cold weather. Some researchers and even students have sent helium balloons with cameras to record the stratosphere. The mesosphere is directly above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. The coldest temperatures in Earth's atmosphere, about -90 C (-130 F), are found near the top of this layer. Blue jets are an extremely rare form of lightning or electrical discharge from clouds in the troposphere. 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. Air pollution causes the demolition of the ozone belt, and without it, the earth would be exposed to the deadly ultraviolet rays in the sun. You might have seen planes leaving white condensation trails. The troposphere is the lowest layer of our atmosphere. While the stratosphere is dry, additional water vapor is produced in situ by the photochemical oxidation of methane (CH4). PSCs are also called nacreous clouds. 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. 18. Mercury has an atmosphere that changes with its distance to the Sun. 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. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The stratosphere is very dry air and contains little water vapor. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. The stratosphere starts just above the troposphere and extends to 50 kilometers (31 miles) high. 25. Commercial airliners fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the weather, travel faster, and save fuel. What's in the Atmosphere? stratosphere: [noun] the part of the earth's atmosphere which extends from the top of the troposphere to about 30 miles (50 kilometers) above the surface and in which temperature increases gradually to about 32 F (0 C) and clouds rarely form. This decrease in temperature with altitude is what causes convection to occur in the troposphere. Also, magnetic and south poles reverse at uneven intervals of hundreds of thousands of years. It borders the mesosphere above through a thin transitional space called the stratopause. The increase of temperature with altitude is a result of the absorption of the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation by the ozone layer. The importance of the stratosphere is highlighted by the presence of the ozone layer, without which no life on Earth will be possible. The thermosphere extends from about 90 km to 500 kmand 1,000 km above our planet. 34. It is enough to cover the entire earths surface with 1 cm of rain. There is very little water vapor in this layer of the atmosphere, so clouds are a rare occurrence. They are a combination of supercooled water and nitric acid that develop at very low temperatures. 19. Because of this, jet aircraft and weather balloons reach their maximum operational altitudes within the 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. It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. This jacket of gases does a lot for us. Earths atmosphere has six layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, the ionosphere, and the exosphere. (The fuel consumption depends on the drag, which is related to the lift by the lift-to-drag ratio.) Facts About Stratosphere Published: April 3, 2016 The stratosphere is the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, just above the troposphere, and below the mesosphere. The atmosphere comprises five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. As this article clearly illustrated, the stratosphere has a crucial role to play in maintaining the atmosphere and all life in it. Ozone is a chemical compound consisting of three oxygen atoms. The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. Due to the lack of vertical convection in the stratosphere, materials that get into the stratosphere can stay there for long times. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Planes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence and fly longer distances using less fuel. 40 Unbelievable But True Troposphere Facts | Kidadl At Home Show All Free Coloring Pages Free Dot to Dot Printables Free Printable Stencils Funnies Trivia Birthdays Books Creative, Arts & Crafts Stratosphere - Definition, Functions & Characteristics with Videos - BYJUS These events often precede unusual winter weather [16] and may even be responsible for the cold European winters of the 1960s.[17]. The ozone layer is within the stratosphere, which protect the Earth from harmful radiation emitted by the sun. Polar Stratospheric Clouds develop in this layer near the poles at an altitude of 15 - 25 kilometers. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. Weather balloons also rise up to this level of the atmosphere to collect data without interference of storm clouds. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is produced by biological activity at the surface and is oxidised to NO in the stratosphere; the so-called NOx radical cycles also deplete stratospheric ozone. The lower portion of the stratosphere is nearly isothermal (a layer of constant temperature), whereas temperatures in its upper levels increase with altitude. 16. As a result, the air in the stratosphere is about 1000 times thinner in the stratosphere than at sea level in the troposphere. 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. This is due to gravity, but mostly due to the temperature inversion in the tropopause that prevents gases from entering the layer. 10 Things to Know About the Ionosphere - NASA Solar System Exploration The stratosphere accounts for approximately 24% of the earth's total atmosphere. The biosphere extends from the deepest root systems of trees, to the dark environments of ocean trenches, to lush rain forests, high mountaintops, and transition zones like this one, where ocean and terrestrial ecosystems meet. But there are no mountains high enough to reach the stratosphere, so you dont have to worry about that. Stratosphere - Wikipedia The rides, which are called The Big Shot, Insanity and X-Scream, are equally terrifying and exciting. The stratosphere the atmosphere's second layer, and is located right above the troposphere and right below the mesosphere. Its concentration in the atmosphere naturally fluctuates depending on seasons and latitudes, but it was . Ozone is important for ensuring that just the right amount of ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth. One wild characteristic of the stratosphere is a phenomenon that occurs, which is known as blue jets. 7. It is also roughly 35 kilometers (22 miles) thick. It is possible to send research balloons into the stratosphere. The ozone layer helps protect us from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. The layer of very rare air above the mesosphere is called the thermosphere. Earth's atmosphere is a jacket of gases that surrounds our planet. Facts about the Earth's Atmosphere - Odyssey Magazine The ozone layer is a layer of gas within the stratosphere that protects the Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet sun rays. Endeavoring to achieve professional growth through ongoing development of skills and using new and accepted methods of . Commercial airliners typically cruise at altitudes of 912km (30,00039,000ft) which is in the lower reaches of the stratosphere in temperate latitudes. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. Just above that is the stratosphere, the area of the atmosphere where passenger airplanes and weather balloons fly. This is the opposite of what happens in the troposphere, where an increasing altitude yields a decrease in temperature. Three Highest Thrill Rides in the World. The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, in between the troposphere and the mesosphere. 32. Stratosphere Facts, Characteristics & Composition | What is the Also known as Nacreous Clouds, these unique clouds develop near the poles at an altitude of 15 - 25 kilometers (9 - 15 miles) during the winter months. It extends upward to a height of about 85 km (53 miles) above our planet. As harmful UV rays from the sun become absorbed in the ozone layer, this layer heats up. As the ozone layer absorbs UV radiation, it causes the temperature in this layer to increase. Certain birds can fly to this altitude, including cranes, swans, and vultures. 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). . A good percentage of the earths population breathes contaminated air, primarily sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide emitted by industrial factories. However, the distance of 100 kms from the earths surface is what is considered generally as an imaginary boundary. The coldest temperatures in Earths atmosphere, about -90 C (-130 F), are found near the top of this layer. Its depth also varies from 5.5 to 20 miles depending on latitude as well. Troposphere. Strat means layer. The presence of moisture in the atmosphere is The oxygen atom product combines with atmospheric molecular oxygen to reform O3, releasing heat. 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 stratosphere is actually crucial to allowing us to live on earth, because within the stratosphere you will find the ozone layer. Troposphere is the thinnest and closest layer to the earths surface. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Due to the characteristics of the stratosphere, it is a very important part of Earth's atmosphere. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. It is the only layer of the atmosphere where temperature inversion occurs. It contains most of our Earth's water vapour, and is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. This allows the stratosphere to have an increasing temperature with altitude. The ozone layer is very important, as it protects life on Earth from the majority of the UV rays emitted from the sun. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. Most of the clouds form in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. It is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. That's almost as wide as Earth itself. Unlike the troposphere, it contains little water vapor so there are no clouds in this layer of the atmosphere. This layer separates the rest of the atmosphere from outer space. Stratosphere Facts - Softschools.com The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. This includes the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere, and stratosphere. The rapid photolysis and reformation of ozone heat the stratosphere, resulting in a temperature inversion. It also consists of a layer known as the ozone layer, a blanket of ozone that absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. 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 from about 50 to 85 km (31 to 53 miles) above our planet. Privacy Policy . Of all the atmospheric layers, this is the most closest to the Earth. The top of the stratosphere is called the stratopause, above which the temperature decreases with height. Acidic rains destroy plants and animals, and if it reaches rivers and lakes, it destroys all the aquatic life. This ozone layer is important for man's survival, and for the survival of life on earth, as it absorbs the UV radiation from the sun that would otherwise be deadly. These free-moving elements continuously escape into space due to ballistic trajectories. In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. (The lack of weather activity in the stratosphere also allows aircraft to avoid adverse weather conditions by flying in the lower stratosphere above the weather.). Overall, the attenuation of solar UV at wavelengths that damage DNA by the ozone layer allows life to exist on the surface of the planet outside of the ocean. [4] The temperature inversion is in contrast to the troposphere, near the Earth's surface, where temperature decreases with altitude. Scientists have been warning people for many years about the damage we are doing to the ozone layer. Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. For this reason, humans would not be able to survive at this altitude without being inside of a plane, rocket, or some type of enclosed environment where air density can be regulated. This breaking is much more pronounced in the winter hemisphere where this region is called the surf zone. Close to the tropopause, temperatures start at approximately -51 Celsius (-60 Fahrenheit) and continue to rise until reaching the stratopause, where temperatures reach -15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit). In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. However, temperature increases with altitude in the stratosphere, which is opposite from the troposphere. It has increased the number of respiratory conditions such as asthma. 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. An interesting feature of stratospheric circulation is the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in the tropical latitudes, which is driven by gravity waves that are convectively generated in the troposphere. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Due to this, the stratosphere has very little convection, which causes chemicals derived from aerosols, known as CFC's, to become confined to the stratosphere. Certain birds will even fly in the stratosphere, including swans, cranes, and vultures! The atmosphere has nearly 37.5 million billion gallons of water at any given time. Exosphere widely contains particles of helium and hydrogen. 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). 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]. The stratosphere is a layer of Earths atmosphere. stratosphere The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, which extends on average from about 10 to 50 km above the Earth's surface. 15. 77 Amazing, Interesting, and Exciting Facts about the Atmosphere Stratosphere Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster 12. The jet stream flows near the border between the troposphere and the stratosphere. This site is owned and operated by Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd, a limited liability company headquartered in Somerset West, South Africa. Ionization takes place in the ionosphere caused by the suns radiation. The layer made of layers Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. UCAR/Randy Russell From space, the earth is seen as a blue halo. The atmospheric balance is jeopardized by human activities that cause global warming, greenhouse effect, ozone belt destruction, air contamination, and acid rains.