Layers of the Atmosphere:
Starting at our spherical earth, the first 10 km of atmostphere is called the troposphere. All weather occurs within the troposphere, temperature varies between 16°C to -55°C, and pressure is approximately 1000 mb (millibars). 10 km up from the earth is the stratosphere, which contains the ozone. Temperature in the stratosphere ranges from -50°C to 0°C and pressure ranges from 100 mb (closer to the earth) to 1 mb. 50 km from the earth is the mesosphere which contains comets or shooting stars. Temperature in the mesosphere is between 0°C to -90°C and pressure ranges from .1 mb and .01 mb. Following the mesosphere is the thermosphere 85 km from the earth, which contains the aurora borealis! Thermosphere temperature varies between -90°C to 1500°C and pressure is .001mb. 600 km from the earth is the exosphere which is mainly where space shuttles travel to. The exosphere is followed by the magnetosphere and the ionosphere, Atmosphere Composition: Nitrogen 78% Oxygen 20.9% Argon .90% CO2 (carbon) .04% Other .17% Note: The CO2 level used to be .03 but mankind has added the .01% over the last 100 years, bringing on the effects of global warming. |
Earth's Wind Belt:
Since all of earth's weather occurs within the troposphere, the earth's wind belt is within the troposphere is well. Starting at the equator, there is lots of low pressure because the hotter air around the equator is less dense. This allows the the air to float upwards and get caught up into a Hadley Cell, either north or south. Following a Hadley Cell is a Mid-Latitude Cell (Ferrel Cell) which meets with Hadley, creating a high pressure system. On the opposite side of the Mid-Latitude Cell is the Polar Cell which meets with Mid-Latitude, creating a low pressure system. See the photo to the right for clarification.
Along the equator is called the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone. On either side of the equator is either North or South Easterly Trade Winds. Horse Latitudes are approximately 30-38° north or south of the equator, and historically boats got caught there and threw their horses off their boats in order to have a lighter load.
These wind cells are created from different high and low pressure systems that create air movement. Hot air is less dense, causing it to float upwards, where it slowly cools, until it sinks back downwards. High pressure systems are where the air has cooled, making it more dense, causing it to sink lower to the earth. Low pressure systems are where the air is less dense (hot), causing it to float upwards (and to be less affected by the pressure).
Since all of earth's weather occurs within the troposphere, the earth's wind belt is within the troposphere is well. Starting at the equator, there is lots of low pressure because the hotter air around the equator is less dense. This allows the the air to float upwards and get caught up into a Hadley Cell, either north or south. Following a Hadley Cell is a Mid-Latitude Cell (Ferrel Cell) which meets with Hadley, creating a high pressure system. On the opposite side of the Mid-Latitude Cell is the Polar Cell which meets with Mid-Latitude, creating a low pressure system. See the photo to the right for clarification.
Along the equator is called the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone. On either side of the equator is either North or South Easterly Trade Winds. Horse Latitudes are approximately 30-38° north or south of the equator, and historically boats got caught there and threw their horses off their boats in order to have a lighter load.
These wind cells are created from different high and low pressure systems that create air movement. Hot air is less dense, causing it to float upwards, where it slowly cools, until it sinks back downwards. High pressure systems are where the air has cooled, making it more dense, causing it to sink lower to the earth. Low pressure systems are where the air is less dense (hot), causing it to float upwards (and to be less affected by the pressure).