"An atmosphere is a layer of gas or layers of gases that envelop a planet, and is held in place by the gravity of the planetary body."
The study of the composition and behavior of planetary atmospheres.
Planetary atmospheres: This covers the study of the Earth's atmosphere, as well as the atmospheres of other planets and their satellites. It includes the composition, structure, dynamics, and evolution of these atmospheres.
Climate and weather: This is a study of the various factors that affect weather patterns and climatic conditions on different planets. Atmosphere science aims to understand how planetary atmospheres interact with solar radiation, magnetic fields, and other phenomena to create weather patterns and global climates.
Atmospheric processes and phenomena: This is a broad category that covers a range of processes and phenomena that occur within planetary atmospheres. It includes atmospheric dynamics, such as convection, turbulence, and circulation, as well as atmospheric chemistry, such as the effects of various gases and pollutants on atmospheric composition.
Atmosphere-ocean interactions: This is a study of the complex interactions between the atmosphere and the ocean, including the transport of heat, moisture, and other substances between the two systems.
Planetary magnetospheres: Planetary magnetospheres are the regions around planets where the magnetic field interacts with the solar wind. This topic includes the study of how planetary atmospheres interact with the magnetosphere and how this interaction affects various atmospheric and surface processes.
Planetary ionospheres: This is the region of the upper atmosphere where ionization occurs due to the absorption of solar radiation. The study of planetary ionospheres involves understanding the structure, composition, and dynamics of this region and how it affects atmospheric processes.
Planetary auroras: This is a study of the beautiful displays of light in the atmosphere that occur when charged particles from the solar wind interact with the magnetosphere and atmosphere of a planet. Atmosphere science aims to understand the processes that create auroras and how they are affected by solar activity and atmospheric conditions.
Atmospheric modeling: This is a study of the development and use of computer models to simulate and predict the behavior of planetary atmospheres. This is an essential tool for understanding complex atmospheric processes and predicting the effects of various changes, such as climate change or atmospheric pollution.
Remote sensing and observations: This includes the use of various instruments and techniques to observe and study planetary atmospheres from a distance. This includes satellites, telescopes, and other instruments that can measure atmospheric composition, temperature, pressure, and other important parameters.
Astrobiology: Astrobiology is a study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe. This topic involves understanding how planetary atmospheres and other environmental factors affect the development of life on different worlds.
Terrestrial Atmosphere: This type of atmosphere is found on Earth-like planets such as Earth, Mars, and Venus. These atmospheres are composed of a mixture of gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, and typically support life as we know it.
Giant Planet Atmosphere: These atmospheres are found on massive gas giants such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are predominantly composed of hydrogen and helium, along with traces of other elements, and have turbulent weather patterns and storms.
Smoggy Atmosphere: This type of atmosphere is found on Venus, where the thick layer of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds creates a hazy and smoggy atmosphere.
Thin Atmosphere: This type of atmosphere is found on Mars and the Moon, where the atmospheric pressure is much lower than Earth's and has a thin layer of carbon dioxide or other gases.
Tenuous Atmosphere: This type of atmosphere is found on Pluto and Triton, where the atmospheric pressure is extremely low and the gases are more scattered.
Exoplanet Atmosphere: These are atmospheres found on planets outside of our solar system, orbiting other stars. They vary in composition and may have unique characteristics dependent on specific factors like distance from the host star, size, and composition of the planet.
Ionosphere: Found on Earth and other planets, an ionosphere is a layer of the atmosphere that contains ionized particles and is responsible for effects like the Aurora Borealis.
Coma Atmosphere: Found around comets, the coma atmosphere is formed by the evaporating ice on the cometary nucleus, which releases gases and dust particles, creating a visible tail.
"A planet retains an atmosphere when the gravity is great and the temperature of the atmosphere is low."
"A stellar atmosphere is the outer region of a star, which includes the layers above the opaque photosphere..."
"The atmosphere of Earth is composed of nitrogen (78 %), oxygen (21 %), argon (0.9 %), carbon dioxide (0.04 %) and trace gases."
"Most organisms use oxygen for respiration."
"Lightning and bacteria perform nitrogen fixation to produce ammonia..."
"Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis."
"The layered composition of the atmosphere minimises the harmful effects of sunlight, ultraviolet radiation, solar wind, and cosmic rays to protect organisms from genetic damage."
"The current composition of the atmosphere of the Earth is the product of billions of years of biochemical modification of the paleoatmosphere by living organisms."
"The name 'atmosphere' comes from Ancient Greek words meaning 'vapour, steam' and 'sphere'."
"A planet retains an atmosphere when the gravity is great and the temperature of the atmosphere is low."
"Stars of low temperature might have outer atmospheres containing compound molecules."
"The atmosphere of Earth is composed of nitrogen (78 %)..."
"Lightning and bacteria perform nitrogen fixation to produce ammonia..."
"Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis."
"The layered composition of the atmosphere minimises the harmful effects of sunlight, ultraviolet radiation, solar wind, and cosmic rays to protect organisms from genetic damage."
"The current composition of the atmosphere of the Earth is the product of billions of years of biochemical modification of the paleoatmosphere by living organisms."
"The name 'atmosphere' comes from Ancient Greek words meaning 'vapour, steam' and 'sphere'."
"A planet retains an atmosphere when the gravity is great and the temperature of the atmosphere is low."
"Stars of low temperature might have outer atmospheres containing compound molecules."