Up Through The Atmosphere Trivia Quiz

Answer: Troposphere

The troposphere is the lowest level of Earth's atmosphere. Approximately 75 percent of the atmosphere's mass is situated here. A majority of the Earth's weather activity occurs within the troposphere. Air temperature and pressure decrease as you get higher into the troposphere. The troposphere extends from sea level with varying heights depending on the climate region you're in.

Answer: Stratosphere

The stratosphere is the second level of the atmosphere. The lower level of the stratosphere begins as low as 8 km (5 mi) at the poles and as high as 18 km (11 mi) near the equator. It is separated from the troposphere by the tropopause. Air temperatures within the stratosphere are reverse that of the troposphere, as air gets warmer the higher you go.

Answer: Ozone Layer

The ozone layer sits within the stratosphere ranging from 20 to 30 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The ozone layer protects the surface from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun. Over the years the ozone layer has weakened sparking the climate change debate.

Answer: Mesosphere

The mesosphere is the third layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It begins at an altitude of approximately 50 km (31 mi) and extends up to a height of approximately 80 km (50 mi). As with the troposphere, air temperature decreases the higher in the mesosphere you ascend.

Answer: Ionosphere

The ionosphere ranges from approximately 60 km (37 mi) up to around 1,000 km (620 mi) above the Earth's surface. Particles within the ionosphere become ionized by the Sun. It has a profound effect on communication technology on Earth.

Answer: Thermosphere

The thermosphere is the fourth layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It is separated from the mesosphere by the mesopause. The thermosphere begins at an altitude of approximately 80 km (50 mi) and stretches out to approximately 700 km (440 mi) above the Earth.

Answer: True

An object can reach LEO or Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of approximately 160 km (100 mi). At lower altitudes, orbits would start to decay and items would start to fall back to the Earth.

Answer: True

The International Space Station (ISS) orbits at an altitude ranging from 330-435 km (205-270 mi). This is within the boundaries of the Earth's thermosphere. The first portion of the ISS was launched on November 20, 1998.

Answer: Exosphere

The exosphere starts around 700 km (440 mi) and reaches far out to a distance of approximately 10,000 km (6,200 mi). It is the outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere and contains the majority of Earth's satellites.

Answer: Van Allen belts

The Van Allen belts are belts of radiation that surround the Earth. They were named after James Van Allen, the scientist who discovered them. The Van Allen belts consist of high energy particles attracted by Earth's magnetic field. These belts produce the aurorae we see at the poles of the Earth. The radiation can sometimes damage orbiting satellites.