The space shuttle and the International Space Station both orbit Earth within the thermosphere!īelow the thermosphere, gases made of different types of atoms and molecules are thoroughly mixed together by turbulence in the atmosphere. In fact, the most common definition says that space begins at an altitude of 100 km (62 miles), slightly above the mesopause at the bottom of the thermosphere. At the bottom of the thermosphere is the mesopause, the boundary between the thermosphere and the mesosphere below.Īlthough the thermosphere is considered part of Earth's atmosphere, the air density is so low in this layer that most of the thermosphere is what we normally think of as outer space. The boundary between the thermosphere and the exosphere above it is called the thermopause. Temperatures in the upper thermosphere can range from about 500° C (932° F) to 2,000° C (3,632° F) or higher. The thermosphere is typically about 200° C (360° F) hotter in the daytime than at night, and roughly 500° C (900° F) hotter when the Sun is very active than at other times. Solar activity strongly influences temperature in the thermosphere. Temperatures climb sharply in the lower thermosphere (below 200 to 300 km altitude), then level off and hold fairly steady with increasing altitude above that height. It extends from about 90 km (56 miles) to between 500 and 1,000 km (311 to 621 miles) above our planet. The thermosphere is directly above the mesosphere and below the exosphere. This is because the air is so thin.The thermosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. It is estimated that approximately 99.99% of the earth's atmosphere is below the thermosphere, despite its size. When large magnetospheric storms occur in the thermosphere's atmospheric layer, thermospheric storms are produced. The charged particles in the thermosphere make it easier for long distance communication via radio.īecause outer space is believed to begin at 62 miles above the earth's surface, the thermosphere could be considered part of space. In order to measure the thermosphere's temperature, scientists measure its air density which helps to determine temperature. The thermosphere is the largest layer of the earth's atmosphere.Īlthough it is known that temperatures in the thermosphere can reach 2000 degrees Celsius or more, actually reading the temperature is difficult for scientists. These light displays are the northern and southern lights. The northern or southern lights occur when ions, protons, and electrons from space collide with the molecules and atoms in the thermosphere, creating high energy that emits light. It is called the aurora borealis or northern/southern lights. One of the most amazing sky phenomena occurs mostly in the thermosphere. Much of the circulation in the thermosphere occurs because of the tides and waves in earth's atmosphere. When the sun is more active and the thermosphere heats up more, this layer of earth's atmosphere increases in size. The thermosphere absorbs a lot of the UV radiation and X-ray given off by the sun. ![]() The main components of air in the thermosphere include helium, atomic nitrogen, and atomic oxygen. The International Space Station is located approximately 200 to 240 miles from earth's surface. The International Space Station and the space shuttle orbit the earth in the thermosphere layer of earth's atmosphere. The transitional area between the thermosphere and the exosphere is referred to as the thermopause.Īlthough still considered part of the earth's atmosphere, the thermosphere has such low air density that it is often considered to be part of space. ![]() The transitional area between the thermosphere and mesosphere is referred to as the mesopause. The time of day also affects the temperature, with higher temperatures in the day than at night - similar to the earth's surface, but much, much hotter. The temperature in the thermosphere is largely influenced by solar activity. The word 'thermosphere' is derived from the Greek word 'thermo' which means 'heat.' The temperature at the thermosphere's greatest height can reach more than 2000 degrees Celsius. Just as in the stratosphere, the temperature in the thermosphere increases as the distance from earth becomes greater. The thermosphere begins at a distance of approximately 53-56 miles above the earth's surface and extends to between 311 and 621 miles from the earth, where the exosphere begins and extends into space. The thermosphere is the atmosphere's fourth layer, located above the mesosphere and below the exosphere. The other four layers include the troposphere, stratosphere, the mesosphere, and exosphere. The thermosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere.
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