{"id":130439,"date":"2025-03-13T09:47:34","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T09:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/animation\/where-does-space-begin-simple-explanation-on-earths-atmosphere\/"},"modified":"2025-03-13T09:47:34","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T09:47:34","slug":"where-does-space-begin-simple-explanation-on-earths-atmosphere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=130439","title":{"rendered":"Where Does Space Begin? Simple Explanation on Earth’s Atmosphere"},"content":{"rendered":"


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We could summarise the answer to the question \u2018where does space begin?\u2019 simply as:<\/p>\n

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The K\u00e1rm\u00e1n line is where many, including NASA, consider space to begin. Named after Theodore von K\u00e1rm\u00e1n, he calculated that at this height, the atmosphere is too thin for normal aircraft to fly.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

However, there is slightly more to it than that. We teamed up with the Royal Observatory Greenwich<\/a> to answer this question by means of an animated video. Using graphical representations, and through our visual style and music choices, our aim was for children as young as 14 to understand the complex answer to what, on the surface, is a simple question. Follow along with our images and explanation below, or skip straight to the video at the bottom.<\/p>\n

Traveling through our atmosphere<\/h3>\n

We live in an age where we are reliant on space travel. From navigation to communication, Earth science to astronomy, space has become the home for a wide range of technologies that have revolutionised the way we live. But with new satellites being launched almost daily, have you ever wondered how high they are going?<\/p>\n

How far do you need to go to say you have truly reached space? The answer is tied directly to our atmosphere.<\/p>\n

The Troposphere<\/h3>\n

At the bottom is the troposphere \u2013 the layer in which we live. From clear skies to thunderous storms, most of our weather is produced within this region and it\u2019s where many commercial planes fly. While visible and radio light can reach this layer, most other types of light are blocked further up.<\/p>\n

\"Troposphere<\/a><\/p>\n

Troposphere \u2013 the layer we live in. From our weather to commercial planes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Stratosphere<\/h3>\n

The stratosphere, directly above, is actually hotter than the troposphere despite being further from the warmth of the Earth\u2019s surface. This is because gamma rays and x-rays are absorbed by the gases in this region. It\u2019s here where you find the ozone layer that protects us from the harmful ultraviolet light of the Sun.<\/p>\n

\"Stratosphere<\/a><\/p>\n

Stratosphere \u2013 where you find the ozone layer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Mesosphere<\/h3>\n

About 50km up, we reach the mesosphere \u2013 the coldest layer. It\u2019s here where most of the meteors that fall into our atmosphere burn up. These rocky fragments, the leftovers from comets and asteroids in our Solar System, produce brilliant streaks of light in the sky, commonly called shooting stars.<\/p>\n

\"Mesosphere<\/a><\/p>\n

Mesosphere \u2013 where most of the meteors that fall into our atmosphere burn up<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The K\u00e1rm\u00e1n Line<\/h3>\n

The K\u00e1rm\u00e1n line is where many, including NASA, consider space to begin. Named after Theodore von K\u00e1rm\u00e1n<\/a>, he calculated that at this height, the atmosphere is too thin for normal aircraft to fly. They would have to travel at orbital speeds to keep them in the air. Rockets like the Boeing-built NASA Space Launch System are needed to exceed the K\u00e1rm\u00e1n line as they have enough thrust to leave the Earth\u2019s orbit.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The K\u00e1rm\u00e1n Line \u2013 at this height the atmosphere is too thin for normal aircraft to fly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Thermosphere<\/h3>\n

Now we have reached the thermosphere \u2013 the hottest layer. It\u2019s here that one of the most spectacular Earth-bound phenomena occur \u2013 the aurorae<\/a>. Charged particles blown off from the Sun are curved towards the poles by the Earth\u2019s magnetic field and interact with the gases in the atmosphere producing brilliant shimmering curtains of light.<\/p>\n

\"Thermosphere<\/a><\/p>\n

Thermosphere \u2013 the hottest layer and where the aurorae occur<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Beyond<\/h3>\n

Above these we find GPS and communications satellites, along with the International Space Station<\/a>. These are all still within our atmosphere, meaning every now and then they need a push to keep them from slowing down and falling out of the sky! It has taken the efforts of many organisations to build, launch, construct and operate the International Space Station.<\/p>\n

\"Beyond<\/a><\/p>\n

Beyond \u2013 International Space Station, GPS and communications satellites<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Our atmosphere never truly ends. It becomes thinner and thinner through the exosphere, a layer that extends at least ten thousand kilometres up until it is all but undetectable. We still have almost three hundred and seventy thousand kilometres to go before we reach the Moon and many millions of kilometres further before we reach even the closest planet! So in the grand view of our Universe, space is only just above your head!<\/p>\n