What Is the Atmosphere and Where Does It Start?

The atmosphere is the blanket of gases that envelops Earth, held tightly by gravity. It begins right at Earth's surface and extends hundreds of kilometers into space. This layer is crucial because it regulates temperature, filters harmful solar radiation, and provides the oxygen we breathe. Without the atmosphere, life as we know it simply couldn’t exist.

Source: https://atmosphereswitch.com/

10 Fascinating Facts About the Atmosphere

1. The Atmosphere Is Made Up of Several Layers
   Our atmosphere consists of five main layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Each layer has unique characteristics and plays a distinct role in supporting life and protecting Earth.

1. The Troposphere Is Where Weather Happens
   The troposphere is the lowest layer, extending up to about 12 km above Earth’s surface. It contains about 75% of the atmosphere’s mass and is where all weather phenomena occur.

2. The Stratosphere Holds the Ozone Layer
   The stratosphere sits above the troposphere and contains the ozone layer, which absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, protecting living organisms from damage.

3. Atmospheric Pressure Decreases With Altitude
   As you go higher, the air pressure drops because there are fewer air molecules above you. That’s why mountain climbers need oxygen tanks at high altitudes.

4. The Atmosphere Protects Us From Meteoroids
   Many meteoroids burn up when they enter Earth’s atmosphere due to friction, creating bright streaks of light known as shooting stars.

Source: https://atmosphereswitch.com/switch-game-issues-after-sigpatches/

1. Earth’s Atmosphere Is Mostly Nitrogen and Oxygen
   About 78% of the atmosphere is nitrogen, and 21% is oxygen. The remaining 1% includes gases like argon, carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of others.

2. Greenhouse Gases Keep Our Planet Warm
   Gases like carbon dioxide and methane trap heat in the atmosphere, maintaining Earth’s temperature and making it habitable—a natural process called the greenhouse effect.

3. The Atmosphere Circulates Constantly
   Wind and air currents constantly move within the atmosphere, redistributing heat and moisture around the globe and influencing climate patterns.

4. Atmospheric Layers Extend Into Space
   The outermost layer, the exosphere, gradually fades into space, where the atmosphere thins until it no longer exists.

5. Human Activities Affect the Atmosphere
   Pollution, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions are changing the atmosphere’s composition, leading to climate change and ozone depletion, which threaten ecosystems worldwide.

Source: https://wiki.hacks.guide/wiki/Switch:Atmosphere

The atmosphere is a complex, dynamic system that supports and protects life on Earth. Knowing these facts helps us understand why preserving our atmosphere is essential for a healthy planet and a sustainable future.