atmosfæres

The term atmosfæres, meaning atmosphere in Danish, refers to the layer of gases surrounding a celestial body, most commonly Earth. This gaseous envelope plays a crucial role in maintaining life by regulating temperature, protecting from harmful solar radiation, and enabling weather phenomena. The Earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%), with smaller amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, and trace gases.

The atmosphere is divided into several distinct layers, each with unique characteristics. The troposphere, the lowest layer, extends from the surface up to about 7-20 kilometers and is where all weather occurs. Above the troposphere is the stratosphere, containing the ozone layer which absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation. Further up are the mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere, each with decreasing density and temperature at different rates.

Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere above a given point. It decreases with altitude. Atmospheric circulation, driven by solar heating and the Earth's rotation, creates winds and influences global climate patterns. Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, have led to changes in atmospheric composition, notably an increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming. The study of the atmosphere, called meteorology, is vital for understanding weather forecasting and climate change.