Earth Atmospheric Layer Observation through Satellite

Name - Anik Koley

Reg. no. -24260402002
Paper Name -Geosciences & Image Interpretation
Paper Code - MGI411041
Semester - 1
Introduction

 The Earth's atmosphere, a dynamic and complex system,

plays a vital role in sustaining life on our planet.
Understanding its composition, behavior, and changes
over time is crucial for addressing global challenges such
as climate change, air pollution, and natural disasters. In
recent decades, satellite technology has revolutionized our
ability to observe and monitor the atmosphere on a global
scale. By utilizing a variety of remote sensing techniques,
satellites provide invaluable data on atmospheric
parameters like temperature, humidity, pressure, wind
speed, and the concentration of various gases.
 (Figure 1: Components of atmosphere, earthhow.com)

Components of Atmosphere

 Based on the relative volumes of the gases in Earth’s atmosphere, nitrogen is actually
more than 3 times more than oxygen. Because the troposphere is the lowest
atmosphere layer, it contains 75 percent of the atmosphere’s mass. From largest to
smallest, Earth’s atmosphere composition contains nitrogen, oxygen, argon, CO2, and
trace gases. Because water vapor is highly variable geographically, it’s excluded from
this total.
1. Nitrogen (78.1%)
2. Oxygen (20.9%)
3. Argon (0.93%)
4. Carbon Dioxide (0.04%)
5. Methane:
6. Ozone
7. Water Vapor (Variable)
8. Dust Particles
9. Aerosols

(Figure 1: Components of atmosphere, earthhow.com)

Structure of Atmosphere
 Homosphere
Homosphere is that part of atmosphere where the chemical composition of the air is uniform or
similar. It is the lowest layer in terms of chemical composition. It extends from the earth’s/ ocean
surface to about 85 km (Figure 2). The density of the air changes very rapidly with increasing
altitude but the proportion of the major gases found there remain alike throughout this layer with the
exception of water vapour, pollutants, ozone and some trace/ very minor gases.
On the basis of the changes in temperature, the atmosphere is divided into five layers (Figure 3)
out of them, three lower layers falls under homosphere (i.e. within 85 km of altitude). They are
troposphere, stratosphere and mesosphere.
 Heterosphere
The atmosphere laying beyond the homosphere is termed as heterosphere. The term itself is
self-explanatory and it is used for that part of atmosphere where the air is not uniform. In this
part of atmosphere, the air is rare and the molecules are wide apart. Relatively heavier gas
molecules are concentrated in the lower part whereas the lighter are forced to be above.
Beyond 85 km height, the composition of the atmosphere with increasing altitude vary
significantly. The mixing of the gases are not possible as the turbulence is not happening
there. Different layers of prominently
different gases are nitrogen layer, oxygen layer, helium layer and hydrogen layer are
differentiated. However, the heterosphere, is divided into two main spheres – thermosphere
and exosphere.
(Figure 2: Homosphere and Heterosphere, class.atmos.ucla.edu)
Layers of Atmosphere
Troposphere: It is the lowest and densest layer of the atmosphere. It extends till a height of about 8 km over pole
but over equator, it is 18 km. About 80 percent of the total mass of the atmosphere lays in this layer. With increase
in height, the temperature keeps on declining till the limit of this layer. On an average, the decrease in temperature
with height is 60Celsius par km. The upper boundary is known as troposphere laying between 8 and 18 km. At this
level, the average temperature reaches to minus 500 to minus 60 0 Celsius Water vapour is found in this layer in
abundance and about 99 percent of the total atmospheric water vapour is concentrated here but wide variation is
seen in terms of height and longitudes. Vapour plays very vital role in regulating the temperature of the earth by
creating greenhouse effect

Stratosphere: Stratosphere is the upward second layer as well as middle layer of the homosphere. It starts from
tropopause to approximate height of 50 km. The temperature at the tropopause remains almost constant till the
height of 20 km. After that, it starts increasing and continue the trend till the height of 50 km At this level, the
estimated temperature is about minus 10 to minus 15 Celsius. Though the temperature is on rise, but there is no
atmospheric turbulence. This layer is completely free from clouds and other weather conditions. That is why, it has
an advantage for flying long-distance supersonic jets/ aeroplanes through this layer. The increase in temperature in
this layer is caused by absorption of solar radiation by ozone (O3). Ozone is abundant in this layer and its 90
percent is concentrated (found between 15 km to 50 km) in this layer only. The upper limit is stratopause which is
a very narrow strip of transition zone beyond which mesosphere is found.

Mesosphere: Mesosphere is the third but the upper-most layer of the homosphere. After this layer, heterosphere
starts. The literal meaning of mesosphere is the middle sphere. It is separated by tropopause below from
troposphere and mesopause on the top from thermosphere. It is extended from 50 km to 85 km from the earth’s
surface (Figures 2 & 3). The air pressure is very low. It is 1 millibar at the lower limit whereas it is 0.01 millibar at
the highest limit. This layer is characterized by decreasing temperature and the coldest/ lowest atmospheric
temperature is recorded in this layer. The lowest temperature estimated near the mesosphere is around minus
1300Celsius. It is colder that the lowest temperature recorded over Antarctic.
(Figure 3: Different Layers of Atmosphere, www.sciencefacts.net)
 Exosphere: Exo means external. Therefore, exosphere the external or the outer most layer of the atmosphere.
Its lower boundary starts from the thermopause (650 km) to the limit from where the void space begins. This
limit is estimated to be about 10000 km. This much distance is little less than the diameter of the earth. It is
really a very big size of the limit of the atmosphere. In exosphere, very light gases are traced and they are
hydrogen and helium. Their molecules are spaced very widely. Beyond the upper limit of exosphere, the space is
considered to be void.

Thermosphere: This sphere extends from mesopouse i.e., 85 km to about 650 km from earth. The temperature
is on rise in this layer due to absorption of solar radiation by small amount of oxygen molecules present. It is
highly dependent upon the solar activities. The temperature reaches beyond 12000C at an altitude of about 350
km but by 650 km it may even rise to 20000C. This much high temperature is primarily defined by average
speed with which molecules are moving. Because of this, the temperature may be high. The effectiveness of this
temperature is not that great. Its exposure to astronaut, if they are coming out from the capsule, is not affecting at
all.

(Figure 4: State of Temperature in Different Layers of Atmosphere, atmo.arizona.edu)

Observation through Satellite

1. Troposphere (0-12 km)

Role of Satellites: The troposphere is the lowest layer where weather phenomena occur.
Satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) like the NOAA weather satellites or GOES (Geostationary
Operational Environmental Satellite) are designed to monitor weather patterns, cloud formations,
temperature, humidity, and air pressure.
Example: GOES Satellites continuously monitor the development of severe weather such as
hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms. These satellites provide real-time data on temperature,
cloud cover, and atmospheric pressure, helping meteorologists forecast weather patterns and
issue early warnings for natural disasters.
 2. Stratosphere (12-50 km)

Role of Satellites: The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which is vital for blocking harmful
ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Satellites like NASA's Aura and Ozone Monitoring
Instrument (OMI) are used to measure the ozone concentration and monitor its health.
Example: Aura Satellite has been critical in tracking changes in the ozone layer, particularly
over the polar regions. For instance, satellites helped discover the ozone hole over Antarctica in
the 1980s. This discovery led to international agreements like the Montreal Protocol, aimed at
reducing substances that deplete the ozone layer, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
3. Mesosphere (50-85 km)
Role of Satellites: The mesosphere is a difficult region to study due to its altitude, but it plays a critical
role in meteor phenomena like meteors burning up upon entry and the formation of noctilucent clouds.
Satellites such as the TIMED (Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics)
mission help monitor the dynamics and chemical composition of the mesosphere.
Example: TIMED Satellite collects data on the composition and temperature of the mesosphere. This
has helped scientists understand phenomena like noctilucent clouds, which form at the boundary
between the mesosphere and thermosphere, and how these clouds may be linked to climate change.
4. Thermosphere (85-600 km)
Role of Satellites: The thermosphere is where the temperature rises sharply due to solar radiation, and
it is home to phenomena like auroras. Satellites such as the ICON (Ionospheric Connection Explorer)
and Swarm mission help us study the effects of solar activity on the Earth's ionosphere and
thermosphere.
Example: ICON Satellite studies the ionosphere and its interactions with solar winds. During solar
storms, the thermosphere experiences increased ionization, which affects satellite communications, GPS
systems, and radio signals. By monitoring these interactions, ICON helps scientists predict space
weather events that can disrupt communications and navigation systems on Earth.
5. Exosphere (600 km and beyond)
Role of Satellites: The exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere, where atmospheric particles
gradually transition into space. Satellites like those in the SWARM mission, which studies the Earth's
magnetic field, help understand the influence of solar wind on the outer atmosphere and how the Earth's
magnetic field interacts with it.
Example: SWARM Satellites measure the strength and variations of the Earth's magnetic field. These
observations help scientists understand how the Earth's magnetosphere shields the atmosphere from
harmful solar and cosmic radiation, protecting our planet from potentially damaging solar storms.
Case Study

 Earth's climate and atmosphere – European Space Agency

The atmosphere is a complicated yet essential element of our habitat in space, and
contains many different chemicals that may be good or bad depending on their
locations and quantities. Using satellites to scan Earth's atmosphere reveals a
plethora of information that is difficult or impossible to see from the ground.
From their vantage point high above us, satellites can collect data on the different
chemicals to better understand and manage the environment.

Earth observation satellites see the world through a wide enough frame to observe
large-scale phenomena. By continuously watching over Earth, they can highlight
long-term changes in the composition of the atmosphere, for example to monitor
the depletion of the ozone layer due to atmospheric pollution or changing levels
of specific greenhouse gases. This can also help us understand more about climate
change, and what we can do to reduce it.

Through its set of Earth observation satellites, ESA is dedicated to observing

Earth from space and supports scientists and policy makers in Europe and
worldwide by providing high quality data.( European Space Agency,2023)
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 esa.int
 researchgate.net
 sciencefacts.net
 science.nasa.gov
 scied.ucar.edu
Thank You