The stratosphere is the second layer in the Earth's atmosphere. It is like a giant magnet and retains high-energy particles, thereby protecting the earth. Create your account. 31. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. The atmosphere is one of four spheres of the earth, which include the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere. But there are no mountains high enough to reach the stratosphere, so you dont have to worry about that. There are five layers of the Earth's atmosphere. The chlorine atoms are recycled when ClO reacts with O in the upper stratosphere, or when ClO reacts with itself in the chemistry of the Antarctic ozone hole. [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 . Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. 32. The lower boundary of the stratosphere is called the tropopause; the upper boundary is called the stratopause. 4. In fact, the air in the exosphere is constantly - though very gradually - "leaking" out of Earth's atmosphere into outer space. The particles in the exosphere do not behave like gases. The stratosphere is a major stable layer whose base is marked by the tropopause, and where temperatures overall average approximately 60 C.Temperature in the lower stratosphere is isothermal but increases markedly in the upper part, to reach a maximum of . Without it, the earths surface would be so cold that living here would not be possible. Dr. Rachel Tustin has a PhD in Education focusing on Educational Technology, a Masters in English, and a BS in Marine Science. It has different layers with different qualities. Planes and jets will sometimes choose to fly in the stratosphere, where there are no clouds or weather that can affect the ride. 29. 20. They shoot upwards through the stratosphere in a blue column to altitudes as high as 50km! Most clouds appear here, mainly because 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. This includes its location, what it is composed of, the temperature range, and its density. Solar ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) separates an oxygen molecule into two different oxygen atoms in the first step. However, the distance of 100 kms from the earths surface is what is considered generally as an imaginary boundary. Ozone is a chemical compound consisting of three oxygen atoms. In comparison, the warmest in the thermosphere. Earth's atmosphere is a jacket of gases that surrounds our planet. Temperatures rise as one moves upward through the stratosphere. This is also where you'll find low Earth orbit satellites. The first is due to the reaction of hydroxyl radicals (OH) with ozone. Near the equator, the lower edge of the stratosphere is as high as 20km (66,000ft; 12mi), at midlatitudes around 10km (33,000ft; 6.2mi), and at the poles about 7km (23,000ft; 4.3mi). It surrounds our planet, keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breathe, and it is where our weather happens. Around the poles, it actually begins at around 7 kilometers, whereas around the equator it can be as high as 20 kilometers. That trend of rising temperatures with altitude means that air in the stratosphere lacks the turbulence and updrafts of the troposphere beneath. The rides, which are called The Big Shot, Insanity and X-Scream, are equally terrifying and exciting. 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. 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. 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. The stratosphere ( / strtsfr, - to -/) is the second layer of the atmosphere of the Earth, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. It also consists of a layer known as the ozone layer, a blanket of ozone that absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas whose molecules are comprised of three oxygen atoms. The ionosphere is not a distinct layer like the others mentioned above. Commercial airliners typically cruise at altitudes of 912km (30,00039,000ft) which is in the lower reaches of the stratosphere in temperate latitudes. What are the characteristics of the five layers of the atmosphere? If you look up at the sky, either on a clear day or a starry night, it probably wouldn't occur to you that you are looking through layers. The atmosphere consists of five distinct layers, with the stratosphere being the second, situated just above the troposphere. This site is owned and operated by Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd, a limited liability company headquartered in Somerset West, South Africa. 16. 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. However, this feature allows commercial airliners to fly in the lower stratosphere while traveling faster and save fuel. The stratosphere the atmosphere's second layer, and is located right above the troposphere and right below the mesosphere. Certain birds will even fly in the stratosphere, including swans, cranes, and vultures! - Structure, Solubility & Products, Arrow Pushing Mechanism in Organic Chemistry, Topicity in Stereochemistry: Relationships & Examples, Antarafacial & Suprafacial Relationships in Organic Chemistry, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. As a meteor begins to enter this layer, it rapidly bumps into mesosphere particles and scrapes against them. 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. The other four layers include the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The stratosphere is home to the ozone layer, which is a thin layer of concentrated ozone which plays an essential role in protecting the Earth from dangerous solar radiation. This layer separates the rest of the atmosphere from outer space. It surrounds our planet, keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breathe, and it is where our weather happens. The stratosphere is very dry air and contains little water vapor. It sets it apart from the other atmospheric layers by temperature rising instead of dropping as altitude increases, a process called temperature inversion. Commercial jet aircraft fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the turbulence which is common in the troposphere below. [6] Winds in the stratosphere can far exceed those in the troposphere, reaching near 60m/s (220km/h; 130mph) in the Southern polar vortex. 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. 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 highest layer. It is easy & understandable to view our atmosphere as a continuous layer of air. Its magnetic field goes up to 60,000 km into space. Exosphere widely contains particles of helium and hydrogen. The QBO induces a secondary circulation that is important for the global stratospheric transport of tracers, such as ozone[14] or water vapor. Atmosphere Atmosphere and Its Layers As you rise through the troposphere, the temperature decreases to around -60 degrees Fahrenheit. Earth's atmosphere has six layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, the ionosphere, and the exosphere. Moreover, the distance between the molecules increases as you move up the different layers. The composition of the atmosphere of each celestial body is different. Thats almost as wide as Earth itself. Like an onion, the Earth's atmosphere is composed of many layers. The troposphere is where we breath in and is also referred to as the lower atmosphere. The bottom of the stratosphere is around 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above the ground at middle latitudes. 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. The lower boundary of the stratosphere can be as high as 20 km (12 miles or 65,000 feet) near the equator and as low as 7 km (4 miles or 23,000 feet) at the poles in winter. In this article, we are going to learn about the atmosphere. The air in the stratosphere is extremely thin, which makes it impossible to breathe at this level. Composed of mostly nitrogen and oxygen, the stratosphere also contains the ozone layer. I feel like its a lifeline. Its concentration in the atmosphere naturally fluctuates depending on seasons and latitudes, but it was . - There are no clouds in the layer, and though . 3 It borders the stratosphere below through a thin transitional space called the stratopause. What's in the Atmosphere? Folland. 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. 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. [7] Molecular oxygen absorbs high energy sunlight in the UV-C region, at wavelengths shorter than about 240nm. Thus it means layer which surrounds the earth. Unlike the troposphere, the stratosphere actually gets warmer the higher you go! Due to the lack of vertical convection in the stratosphere, materials that get into the stratosphere can stay there for long times. [5] Stratospheric temperatures also vary within the stratosphere as the seasons change, reaching particularly low temperatures in the polar night (winter). However, the air in this layer is so thin that it would feel freezing cold to us! On November 29, 1973, a Rppell's vulture (Gyps rueppelli) was ingested into a jet engine 11,278m (37,000ft) above the Ivory Coast. Endeavoring to achieve professional growth through ongoing development of skills and using new and accepted methods of . 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. The stratosphere protects Earth life from extremely harmful UV rays from the sun. Also, magnetic and south poles reverse at uneven intervals of hundreds of thousands of years. Earth is a great planet to live on because it has a wonderful atmosphere around it. Skin cancer frequency is increasing due to the thinning of the ozone layer. 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 helps in propagation of the radio waves used in telecommunication. The atmospheric balance is jeopardized by human activities that cause global warming, greenhouse effect, ozone belt destruction, air contamination, and acid rains. He discovered this atmospheric layer by sending a weather balloon up and noticing that the temperature changes differently than it does in the troposphere. The definition of the stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, extending from about 6 miles to 30 miles, or 10km to 50km, above the Earth's surface. Each year, this large amount of water is recycled about 40 times. We humans live in the troposphere, and nearly all weather occurs in this lowest layer. Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. [4] The temperature inversion is in contrast to the troposphere, near the Earth's surface, where temperature decreases with altitude. "Strat" means layer. 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. 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. (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.). The oxygen atom product combines with atmospheric molecular oxygen to reform O3, releasing heat. The stratosphere extends from from 4 -12 miles (6-20 km) above the Earth's surface to around 31 miles (50 km). The temperatures in the ozone belt are higher than in the troposphere since the ozone absorbs the ultraviolet rays. It borders the mesosphere above through a thin transitional space called the stratopause. The Earth's atmosphere is a mixture of several gases. The layer made of layers. 19. The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere. The coldest temperatures in Earth's atmosphere, about -90 C (-130 F), are found near the top of this layer. At the outer limit of the magnetic field is the magnetosphere. On top of that, air samples from this altitude have shown that certain types of bacteria and microbes are present in the stratosphere, making it the closest to space and furthest from the Earth's surface that humans have found life naturally living. Sunlight is reflected in every direction by the gases present in the atmosphere. The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. The stratosphere is a layer of Earths atmosphere. N.Butchart, A.A. Scaife, J. Austin, S.H.E. The stratosphere was discovered in 1900 by French meteorologist Lon Teisserenc de Bort. It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion takes place. 12 chapters | Earth's atmosphere is composed of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and one percent other gases. Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms (O 3). 2011 UCAR with portions adapted from Windows to the Universe ( 2009 NESTA). Heat is produced in the process of the formation of Ozone, and this heat is responsible for . It has a very important job: to protect us from harmful energy from the Sun, called radiation. This layer is 22 miles (35 kilometers) thick. Moreover, it regulates the temperature extremes that are likely to occur between day and night. The exosphere gradually fades away into the realm of interplanetary space. The height of the bottom of the stratosphere varies with latitude and with the seasons. Here are 50 Interesting facts about the atmosphere that you probably didnt know. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. So, what does the stratosphere do? 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. Fun Stratosphere Facts for Kids. The water ice appears younger than we would expect. Just above that is the stratosphere, the area of the atmosphere where passenger airplanes and weather balloons fly. Strat means layer. Acid rains form when nitrogen oxide or Sulphur dioxide combines with water vapor in the atmosphere. The ozone layer helps protect us from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. Though the atmosphere may appear uniform to the naked eye, it is actually similar to a layer cake. 2 It extends from a height of approximately 65 km (40 miles) to 85 km (53 miles) above the Earth's surface. The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. 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 due to gravity, but mostly due to the temperature inversion in the tropopause that prevents gases from entering the layer. Planes and jets will sometimes. It contains most of our Earth's water vapour, and is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. 90% of the ozone layer is found in the stratosphere's upper crust. The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, laying just above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. The importance of the stratosphere is highlighted by the presence of the ozone layer, without which no life on Earth will be possible. Many satellites actually orbit Earth within the thermosphere! Almost all weather is in this region. It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. The main gases are nitrogen and oxygen, which make up 99% of the atmosphere. The ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the . The coldest temperatures are found in the mesopause. The ozone layer is within the stratosphere, which protect the Earth from harmful radiation emitted by the sun. Above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. Meteors burn up in the coldest layer, the mesosphere. stratosphere, layer of Earth's atmosphere lying between the troposphere and the mesosphere. It occurs naturally in small (trace) amounts in the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere). Ozone layer lies about 19-32 km over the earths surface. It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The jet stream flows near the border between the troposphere and the stratosphere. The temperature increases to about negative {eq}5 {/eq} F in the stratosphere. However, exceptionally energetic convection processes, such as volcanic eruption columns and overshooting tops in severe supercell thunderstorms, may carry convection into the stratosphere on a very local and temporary basis. Luckily the situation has improved since the ban of chlorofluorocarbon. Scientists have been warning people for many years about the damage we are doing to the ozone layer. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. There are forms of biological bacteria living in the stratosphere. Ionization takes place in the ionosphere caused by the suns radiation. The stratosphere (/strtsfr, -to-/) is the second layer of the atmosphere of the Earth, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. The rising air is literally freeze dried; the stratosphere is a very dry place. [4] Temperatures range from an average of 51C (60F; 220K) near the tropopause to an average of 15C (5.0F; 260K) near the mesosphere. Finally, chlorofluorocarbon molecules are photolysed in the stratosphere releasing chlorine atoms that react with ozone giving ClO and O2. 25. Providing an environment conducive to good instruction and motivation in which there is an atmosphere of self-motivation and self-discipline in the areas of personal development, character, and academic integrity. It is seen in high latitude areas as shimmering curtains of lights that are visible at night. The mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere (above the troposphere and stratosphere.) To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. 3. The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful radiation emitted from the Sun. Mercury has an atmosphere that changes with its distance to the Sun. This article focus on the stratosphere, Earth's second layer. The troposphere, the lowest layer, is right below the stratosphere. While the troposphere is filled with a vast assortment of clouds thanks to a gas we know as water vapor, the stratosphere is a vast, clear blue sky. At an altitude of 100 km above sea level, a border represents the separation between the atmosphere and outer space. The Earth's atmosphere is very important, as each layer plays a role for life on Earth. This layer holds 19 percent of the atmosphere's gases but very little water vapor. The stratosphere has many defining features that make it a unique part of the atmosphere. What Is the Greenhouse Effect? I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. This is due to the temperature changes within the stratosphere. As the ozone layer absorbs UV radiation, it causes the temperature in this layer to increase. The troposphere, the lowest layer, is right below the stratosphere. Various types of waves and tides in the atmosphere influence the stratosphere. Troposphere is the thinnest and closest layer to the earths surface. 13. Despite Mercury's weak magnetic field, it behaves similarly to Earth's. The wind, which is the air current, is generated when the hot air rises and gets replaced by colder air. There are some species of birds capable of flying in the stratosphere. As it absorbs the UV light, it absorbs energy. Other gases such as carbon dioxide, argon, helium, and neon occupy the remaining portion. Airplanes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence. There is no clear-cut upper boundary where the exosphere finally fades away into space. As a result, air circulation is not as prevalent in this layer of the atmosphere, making it difficult for some gasses to escape. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. Never miss out again when another interesting and helpful article is released and stay updated, while also receiving helpful tips & information by simplyclicking on this link .Until next time, keep your eye on the weather! However, just above that is an equally important layer called the stratosphere. Theexosphereis really, really big. 110 lessons. Air density in this layer gradually decreases as you go higher. The ozone layer is a layer of gas within the stratosphere that protects the Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet sun rays. Current map of global winds and temperatures at the 10 hPa level. measured by the humidity of the air. She has taught in K-12 for more than 15 years, and higher education for ten years. Commercial airliners fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the weather, travel faster, and save fuel. A two-step reactive mechanism produces ozone in the stratosphere naturally. Why Is Carbon Important? 23. Certain swans, cranes, and vultures can fly in the lower stratosphere. That's the opposite of how the . The stratosphere begins at around 10 kilometers above the surface of the earth. Stratosphere. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. Be grateful! The atmospheric gases must retain the heat in the sun rays and reflect them to the earth to keep it warm. Stratosphere is the second layer. The stratosphere the atmosphere's second layer, and is located right above the troposphere and right below the mesosphere. 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). Starting at ground level, it extends upward to about 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above sea level. 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 air has a very low density that you get into the interplanetary space without a manifest limit. It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion occurs and the region where the ozone layer is situated. The ionosphere stretches roughly 50 to 400 miles above Earth's surface, right at the edge of space. 35. Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. It is also roughly 35 kilometers (22 miles) thick. Convection is when gasses cool down as they rise, allowing them to condense onto air particles and form clouds. The stratosphere is where youll find the very important ozone layer. PSCs appear in the lower stratosphere near the poles in winter. The atmosphere comprises five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. The exosphere gradually fades away into the realm of interplanetary space. Brewer-Dobson Circulation occurs in the stratosphere. The stratosphere is abundant in ozone, a type of oxygen molecule that absorbs the sun's ultraviolet radiation and uses it to heat this layer in the atmosphere. The temperatures decrease by 6.5 degrees Celsius each kilometer, reaching -55 degrees Celsius at the top limit of the troposphere, commonly known as the tropopause. This is exactly the opposite of the behavior in the troposphere in which we live, where temperatures drop with increasing altitude. Without the stratosphere, life on Earth would be much different, if not non-existent. The troposphere starts at the Earth's surface and extends 8 to 14.5 kilometers high (5 to 9 miles). Between the troposphere and stratosphere is the tropopause border that demarcates the beginning of the temperature inversion. [19] In 2001, dust was collected at a height of 41 kilometres in a high-altitude balloon experiment and was found to contain bacterial material when examined later in the laboratory. The atmosphere surrounds our planet like the peel of an orange. Three Highest Thrill Rides in the World. The air in the stratosphere is about 1000 thinner than the air at sea level in the troposphere. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Earth's atmosphere is similar to a jacket for our planet. These events often precede unusual winter weather [16] and may even be responsible for the cold European winters of the 1960s.[17]. 24. Instead, clouds condense in the troposphere. There are little to no clouds in the stratosphere from the lack of convection. Ozone, which is actually a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms linked together by covalent bonds, absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation that enters the Earth's atmosphere as part of sunlight. Convection is the process whereby warm air rises and cooler air descends. In the stratosphere - 'strato' means layer and sphere is the shape of the earth. They are far much apart from that they can move thousands of kilometers without colliding. (The fuel consumption depends on the drag, which is related to the lift by the lift-to-drag ratio.) Unlike the troposphere however it is colder closer to the earth and warmer as it gets closer to the mesosphere. The greenhouse gases increase the effect making the earths surface to be warmer than usual.