What are the layers of the atmosphere?

The atmosphere is a vital, thin layer of gases surrounding Earth, composed of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% other gases. It protects life from the sun's harmful radiation and keeps Earth warm through the Greenhouse Effect.

The atmosphere is divided into four main temperature-based layers. The troposphere is the lowest layer, extending up to 10km, where all weather occurs and most clouds form, containing 99% of the atmosphere's water. Air temperature decreases with altitude in this layer.

Above the troposphere, the stratosphere extends to about 50km and contains the ozone layer. This layer absorbs high-energy UV light from the sun, converting it into heat, which causes the air to warm with increasing altitude.

The mesosphere, above the stratosphere, reaches heights of around 80km. It is the coldest atmospheric layer, with temperatures dropping to -100 degrees Celsius, and is where most meteors burn up.

The thermosphere is the highest layer, extending between 500km and 1000km. Despite extremely high temperatures (500-2000°C), the air is so thin that it doesn't feel hot. Auroras and the International Space Station are found in this layer.