Astronomy

Exosphere – Definition. Functions and Facts

Exosphere

We live on Earth, and the atmosphere here is the essential part, which makes us alive. It is because the atmosphere helps us to block some unwanted harmful sun’s rays from reaching Earth. Whereas In the Earth’s atmosphere, Exosphere is the uppermost part between Earth’s atmosphere and the space between the planets of the Solar System.

exosphere

As it is the outermost layer of the Earth’s atmosphere and also the widest one, it is aligned at a distance of around 700 km above the sea level and extends up to 1000 km above the sea level. 1000 km above the sea level is the Exosphere’s endpoint, where it meets with the solar wind.

Composition of the Exosphere

Not let’s talk about its composition and the gases present in it. It is made up of low-density gases like hydrogen and helium along with some other gaseous molecules of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and Oxygen.

One unknown fact about the Exosphere is most of the time coined with aurora lights. Aurora light is generally produced when there occur collisions between electrically charged particles that are discharged from the sun, and they enter the Earth’s atmosphere.

Further, they touch some of the gaseous molecules of Oxygen and other atmospheric chemical elements. Commonly, we can see the aurora lights around the magnetic poles of both Northern and Southern hemispheres.

Functions of the Exosphere

Did you know that the Exosphere is also responsible for various functions?

Its functions to act as a transitional medium to a zone under the influence of gravity. It also helps the atoms to escape from the atmosphere to outer space.

Unlike other atmospheric layers, it is the only layer of the atmosphere that has a definite shape. The molecules and gases in the Exosphere are available in a limited quantity. Also, these gaseous molecules are distant from each other. They travel at quite a high speed, and it is the reason they face minimum or negligible or minimum collisions. It is much farther away from Earth than anybody can imagine, and thus there can be no chance of meteorological phenomenon.

Facts about Exosphere

Now when we have got so many insightful details, let’s discover some of the fun facts about it!

The first important fun fact about it is that most of the Earth’s satellites, including the International Space Station (ISS), orbits within this layer.

Also, have you ever imagined breathing in the Exosphere? The Exosphere layer is fringe. Though this layer has gases like hydrogen and helium, however, they’re outspread. Also, there are tons of space in between. So, there’s no chance that you could breathe or even survive as it extremely cold out there!

Moving on, many people think, Exosphere is the coldest atmospheric layer. But the fact is that Mesosphere is the most chilled layer of the Earth’s atmosphere.

What happens if there was no exosphere present in the atmosphere? The remaining water would freeze. Also, the air would still be too thin to breathe. The shortage of atmosphere would chill the Earth’s surface.

Not all scientists believe that this layer is a section of the atmosphere. Some scientists contemplate the thermosphere as the top layer of Earth’s atmosphere assumes it to be a part of the Earth.

That’s was all about the Exosphere. No hat you know so much about this layer, go and brag about your knowledge to your friends and explore other atmospheric layers too.

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