Earth's Atmosphere
![The Space Shuttle Endeavour silhouetted against the atmosphere.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ej9ASgkEPESh8m2GfkvCeg-320-80.jpg)
Earth's atmosphere is about 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, with trace amounts of water, argon, carbon dioxide and other gases. The exact composition, as well as the temperature and pressure of the atmosphere, varies with its height. The atmosphere is divided into layers: The troposphere is the lowest layer and extends from Earth's surface up to a height of about 30 miles (48 kilometers); it is where most of Earth's weather occurs. Above the troposphere is the stratosphere, where the ultraviolet-blocking ozone layer is found. Above that is the mesosphere, the thermosphere and the ionosphere. Earth's atmosphere is home to different types of clouds, the auroras, different types of lightning.
Latest about earth atmosphere
![Two flashes on the GOES-17 Lightning Mapper aren't lightning, but a meteor trail and explosion.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HCJZX5348BFnAgfspn3hcj-320-80.jpg)
Exploding meteor startles Utah
By Stephanie Pappas published
A loud explosion heard Saturday (Aug. 13) in Utah may have been an exploding Perseid meteor.
![skyglow steve](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RBJZBmtLmAxnkqrmBnYY7N-320-80.jpg)
Eerie Sky Glow Called 'Steve' Isn't an Aurora, Is 'Completely Unknown' to Science
By Brandon Specktor last updated
There is a beautiful mystery in the sky, and its name is Steve.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SGpcmv39672Q3NXsgBYcb5-320-80.jpg)
Mystery of Weird Sky-Glow Named 'STEVE' Finally Solved
By Mindy Weisberger last updated
Enigmatic STEVE is somewhat like an aurora...and somewhat different.
![the antennas of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), set against the splendour of the Milky Way](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YuJohJP9HgfW5NYcLfhbSn-320-80.jpg)
Why do stars twinkle?
By Colin Stuart published
Stars appear to twinkle because the light from these distant objects passes through wobbly air in the atmosphere.
![This image is a digital enhancement of a NASA image of Earth’s atmosphere.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WbFJAui4m44LpdP7w9zHZb-320-80.jpg)
New, extremely reactive chemical discovered in the atmosphere
By Tom Metcalfe published
Millions of tons of a type of extremely reactive chemical can form in the atmosphere each year, with implications for health and the global climate.
![Image of Earth's atmosphere and space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fqX3qDntRKQwa5i2q3dH85-320-80.jpg)
Where does Earth end and outer space begin?
By Joe Phelan published
The atmosphere is vast and parts of it extend beyond the moon. But where does it technically end, according to scientists?
![Glaciers in modern-day Antarctica. The early oxygenation of Earth may have triggered ice ages that covered the surface of the Earth with glaciers like these.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jKdKoY9BtwqMvSPBiU7ffW-320-80.jpg)
Earth nearly lost all its oxygen 2.3 billion years ago
By Stephanie Pappas published
The permanent oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere took twice as long as previously believed and finally finished up to 100 million years later than expected.
![An artist's rendition of the early Earth environment. Lightning generated by storms and volcanic plumes frequently strikes volcanic rocks. The lightning strikes create fulgurites which contain phosphorus in a form that can be dissolved in water and concentrate in waters like volcanic ponds. Here, the phosphorus is able to form biomolecules which help lead to the emergence of life.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DM9YMdGt25skQBziebK5BU-320-80.jpeg)
Billions of lightning bolts may have jump-started life on Earth, study suggests
By Brandon Specktor published
Lightning storms on early Earth may have given the planet enough phosphorus to craft the first DNA and RNA molecules, study suggests
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