Earth’s unique atmosphere shields humans
from the Sun’s dangerous rays, as well as providing oxygen and water.
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Atmosphere
- the gases held around Earth by its gravity make up the atmosphere.
- every planet in the Solar System has an atmosphere.
- each atmosphere is very different – Earth’s atmosphere is the only one that humans can breathe.
- atmosphere are not fixed – but can change rapidly.
- moons are generally too small – their gravity is too weak to have an atmosphere; however few moons have one, including Saturn’s moon – Titan.
- earliest primordial atmosphere came from the clouds of gas and dust surrounding the young Sun.
- if Earth and the rocky planets had primordial atmosphere – they were stripped away by the solar wind. (see – solar eruptions page)
- our Earth’s atmosphere was first formed from gases pouring out of volcanoes.
Gases pouring out of volcanoes
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- Jupiter’s atmosphere is partly primordial – it has been altered by the Sun’s radiation, and the planet’s own internal heat and lightning storms. (more information about `Atmosphere of Jupiter`.)
Jupiter’s primordial light
Did you know?
The oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere was formed entirely by planets.
Back to The Solar System page / next to Water page.