Kaasukehään

Kaasukehään refers to the atmosphere surrounding a celestial body. This gaseous envelope is held in place by the body's gravitational pull. The composition and density of a kaasukehään vary greatly depending on the celestial object. For instance, Earth's kaasukehään is primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen, which supports life as we know it. Planets like Venus have a much denser kaasukehään dominated by carbon dioxide, leading to a strong greenhouse effect and extremely high surface temperatures.

The presence and characteristics of a kaasukehään are crucial for understanding a planet's climate, weather patterns, and potential for habitability. A substantial kaasukehään can shield a planet's surface from harmful solar radiation and meteoroid impacts. It also plays a vital role in regulating temperature through the absorption and re-emission of heat. The study of kaasukehään, or atmospheric science, is a key component of planetary science and astrobiology, as scientists search for exoplanets with atmospheres that might harbor life. The term is often used interchangeably with "atmosphere" in scientific contexts.