Key Characteristics:
* Location: It sits above the troposphere, the layer where we live, and below the mesosphere.
* Temperature: Temperature increases with altitude. This is due to the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun by the ozone layer.
* Ozone Layer: The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which is crucial for life on Earth as it absorbs most of the Sun's harmful UV radiation.
* Air Movement: Air is relatively stable and calm in the stratosphere compared to the turbulent troposphere. This stability allows for the ozone layer to remain relatively undisturbed.
* Weather: There are no weather events as we know them in the stratosphere. The lack of water vapor prevents cloud formation and precipitation.
* Importance: The stratosphere plays a vital role in protecting life on Earth from harmful UV radiation.
* Aviation: Some high-altitude aircraft, such as supersonic jets, fly within the stratosphere due to its stable conditions.
In summary, the stratosphere is a calm, dry layer of the atmosphere characterized by increasing temperatures due to the ozone layer's absorption of UV radiation. This layer is crucial for protecting life on Earth.
