The+Atmosphere

=Atmosphere=

The Earth's atmosphere is a layer of gases held in place by Earth's gravitational pull. Without the atmosphere we would all die. There are 6 layers to the atmosphere. =Layers=

Exosphere
This is the outermost level of the atmosphere, the particles can move freely between the Exosphere and the Earth's magnetic field.

Ionosphere
This part of the atmosphere is ionized by solar radiation and is responsible for auroras, also it helps send radio waves to distant places on Earth.

Thermosphere
Temperature increases with height in this level, also it contains the Ionosphere.

Mesosphere
This is the layer where meteors burn up and temperature decreases with height.

Stratosphere
The Ozone layer in in the Stratosphere. It's thickness varies seasonally and geographically.

Troposphere
The Troposphere is the lowest level of the atmosphere, and contains 80% of the atmosphere's mass.

=Pressure=

Pressure decreases exponentially as you go higher up. 1 atm is equal to 760 mm Hg/torr, 14.7 psi, and 101.3 kilopascals.

=Composition= (all percentages approximate) Nitrogen - 78%

Oxygen - 20%

Argon - .9340%

Misc Gases - .0376%

[[image:180px-Atmosphere_gas_proportions.svg.png caption="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth%27s_atmosphere"]]
=Other Planets=

= = =Sources:= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth%27s_atmosphere