FIGURE2 Structure of the Earth’s atmosphere (not to scale)
Exosphere —where some satellites orbit. It extends for perhaps 10000 km.
640 km
Thermosphere —where Aurora lights appear, and the space shuttle and some satellites orbit.
80 km
Mesosphere —where most meteors burn up. It is the coldest part of the atmosphere.
50 km
Stratosphere —some jet planes fly in the lower stratosphere.
16 km
Troposphere —where weather happens and
most planes fly. Earth surface
SkillBuilder discussion Concluding and decision-making
1. Which layer of the atmosphere is where most weather events happen? 2. In which layers will you see the Aurora lights and meteors burning up? 3. At what layers of the atmosphere will you find satellites orbiting the Earth and passenger planes?
FIGURE3 Australia has diverse weather, which greatly impacts the way we live.
292 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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