The layer closest to Earth’s surface. It is thickest at the equator, and much thinner at the North and South Poles. Most of the water vapor in the atmosphere, along with dust and ash particles, are found in the troposphere—explaining why most of Earth’s clouds are located in this layer. Here temperatures decrease with altitude., The uppermost layer, that blends with what is considered to be outer space. The pull of Earth’s gravity is so small here that molecules of gas escape into outer space., Solar radiation makes the upper regions of this layer very hot, reaching temperatures as high as 2,000°C (3,600°F)., A high concentration of ozone, a molecule composed of three atoms of oxygen, makes up the ozone layer here. This ozone absorbs some of the incoming solar radiation, shielding life on Earth from potentially harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, and is responsible for the temperature increase in altitude., The atmosphere is thin here, but still thick enough so that meteors will burn up as they pass through this layer — creating what we see as “shooting stars.”.

Layers of the Atmosphere

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