SKYQUEST

How far is it to the sky?

Hmmm.....

Good question!

Well, the Earth is surrounded by layers of gases we call air, or our atmosphere. The molecules, particles, and water droplets in the air can scatter sunlight, creating blue skies, red sunsets, and rainbows.

Earth's atmosphere is divided into multiple layers:

1. Troposphere begins at sea level

This is the lowest layer of the atmosphere and where we live so we know it best. It extends from sea level to an altitude of almost 12 miles above the equator, but only about 5 miles above the North and South poles. This is where weather takes shape. Planes fly in this layer.

2. Stratosphere is 12 miles/19 kilometers above sea level

This is where the ozone layer is located and where weather balloons gather information for meterologists.

3. Mesosphere is 30 miles/50 kilometers above sea level

This is where meteors appear and temperatures may be lower than -103 degrees F.

4. Thermosphere is 50 miles/80 kilometers above sea level

Space shuttles travel and the Aurora borealis/australis appear between this layer the exosphere.




Aurora australis




5. Exosphere is 250 miles/400 kilometers above sea level

At the bottom of this layer temperatures are below freezing. At the top
temperatures exceed 2200 degrees F/1200 degrees C. The ionosphere is
located here as well. The exosphere continues out into space until it
eventually merges with the atmosphere of the sun.

So, in answer to the question, I would have to say that the sky reaches upward to more than 250 miles above sea level, and since the first layer of our atmosphere is the troposphere, which begins at sea level, then that must be how far it is to the sky!

SOURCES:
1. "Atmosphere," The New Book of Knowledge. 2007, vol. 1, pp. 480-482.

2. Denne, B., O’Brien, E. Space. London: Usborne Publishing Ltd, 2001.

3. Englelbert, P., Dupuis, D. The Handy Space Answer Book. Michigan: Visible Ink Press, 2003.

4. Burnham, R., Dyer, A., Garfinkle, R.A., George, M., Kanipe, J., Levy, D.H. A Guide to Backyard Astronomy. San Francisco: Fog City Press, 1997.