Earth's atmosphere

Earth's atmosphere
NASA Earth Observatory · Public domain · source
Atmosphere	Earth's atmosphere
Surface pressure	1013 mbar
Scale height	8.5 km
Atmospheric escape	3 kg/s

Earth's atmosphere is a complex and dynamic system that surrounds the Planet Earth, extending from the Exosphere to the Troposphere. The atmosphere is composed of various gases, including Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, and Carbon dioxide, which are influenced by the Sun, Moon, and Solar wind. The study of the atmosphere is crucial for understanding the Climate change and its impact on the Environment, as well as the Weather forecasting and Atmospheric science research conducted by organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the European Space Agency. The atmosphere plays a vital role in supporting Life on Earth, and its unique composition is a subject of interest for NASA, the European Space Agency, and other space agencies.

Introduction

The study of the atmosphere is an interdisciplinary field that involves Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Geology. The atmosphere is divided into several layers, including the Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere, each with its unique characteristics and properties. The atmosphere is influenced by various factors, including the Rotation of Earth, Orbit of Earth, and Gravitational force of the Moon and Sun. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites are among the organizations that conduct research on the atmosphere and its interactions with the Space weather and Solar radiation.

Composition

The atmosphere is composed of various gases, including Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Argon (1%), and Carbon dioxide (0.04%), as well as trace amounts of other gases such as Neon, Helium, and Methane. The composition of the atmosphere is influenced by the Photosynthesis and Respiration processes of Plants and Animals, as well as the Volcanic eruptions and Human activities such as Fossil fuel combustion and Agriculture. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the United Nations Environment Programme are among the organizations that study the composition of the atmosphere and its impact on the Climate change and Air pollution. The Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and the National Center for Atmospheric Research are also involved in the study of the atmospheric composition and its interactions with the Atmospheric circulation and Ocean currents.

Structure

The atmosphere is divided into several layers, each with its unique characteristics and properties. The Troposphere is the lowest layer, extending up to an altitude of about 12 km, and is the layer where Weather occurs. The Stratosphere is the next layer, extending up to an altitude of about 50 km, and is the layer where Ozone is formed. The Mesosphere is the third layer, extending up to an altitude of about 85 km, and is the layer where Metors burn up. The Thermosphere and Exosphere are the uppermost layers, extending up to an altitude of about 600 km and beyond, and are the layers where Satellites orbit the Earth. The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the European Space Agency are among the organizations that study the structure of the atmosphere and its interactions with the Space weather and Solar radiation.

Atmospheric_phenomena

The atmosphere is home to various phenomena, including Clouds, Fog, Rain, Snow, and Hail. The atmosphere is also influenced by Wind patterns, such as Trade winds and Westerlies, which play a crucial role in shaping the Climate and Weather patterns. The National Weather Service and the Met Office are among the organizations that study and predict the atmospheric phenomena, using Radar and Satellite imagery to monitor the Weather forecasting and Storm tracking. The University of California, Berkeley and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are also involved in the study of atmospheric phenomena and their interactions with the Atmospheric circulation and Ocean currents.

Climate_and_weather

The atmosphere plays a crucial role in shaping the Climate and Weather patterns of the Earth. The Greenhouse effect and Global warming are among the factors that influence the climate, and are studied by organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation and North Atlantic Oscillation are among the climate patterns that influence the weather, and are studied by organizations such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the University of Oxford. The Climate change and its impact on the Environment and Human health are also studied by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme.

Human_impact

The atmosphere is influenced by Human activities such as Fossil fuel combustion, Agriculture, and Deforestation, which release Greenhouse gases and Air pollutants into the atmosphere. The Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement are among the international agreements that aim to reduce the human impact on the atmosphere and mitigate the Climate change. The European Union and the United States Environmental Protection Agency are among the organizations that implement policies and regulations to reduce the human impact on the atmosphere and protect the Environment. The Harvard University and the Stanford University are also involved in the study of human impact on the atmosphere and the development of Sustainable energy solutions. Category:Atmospheric science