2007-02-03 02:35:25 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Our planet is warmed by the sun. The atmosphere traps the heat. As you go higher the atmosphere gets thinner and can't hold heat. Outer space is FREEZING – close to Absolute Zero; -273 degrees celsius.
2007-02-03 02:44:53 · answer #1 · answered by ZZ9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our atmosphere is transparent to solar radiation.That means the air is not heated directly by the Sun.The sun heats the earth first and the atmosphere is heated from the bottom and the upper portion of the atmosphere is heated by conduction from the lower levels.That is why the temperatue drops as you go up.The radiation that comes from the sun is a short wave radiation which is not absorbed by the atmosphere whereas the reflected sun's radiation from the earth is a long wave radiation and it is absorbed by the atmosphere.Hence the atmosphere is heated from below and that is the reason for the temperature dropping as you go up
2007-02-03 13:09:57 · answer #2 · answered by Arasan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
dense air traps heat, thinner air does not...as you go higher into the atmosphere, the air thins, and with this thinning comes fewer air particles to hold in the heat...therefor, it cools down. This has nothing to do with being closer to the sun, because remember, outterspace is close to absolute zero...and that's a lot closer than the sun when discussing the atmosphere
2007-02-03 10:40:47 · answer #3 · answered by Michael O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
KarlPili's right.
Keep in mind too that once you head straight up out of the atmosphere, you are not necessarily going closer to the sun either. "Up" isn't always in that direction.
One of the harsher conditions that satellites have to be designed to endure is that as they travel in orbit, they travel from heat to extreme cold. Materials and equipment have to be designed for the expansion and contraction that this can cause.
2007-02-03 10:42:35 · answer #4 · answered by fish 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The atmosphere acts as insulation and keeps the heat in. The thinner the air is the higher up you go, the less insulation. In deep space, there is no "insulation" and therefore very cold.
2007-02-03 10:43:52 · answer #5 · answered by crazydave 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the air holds the heat the higher you get the thinner it is therego cooler temps yes i know it really dont make any since cause heat rises
2007-02-03 10:38:55 · answer #6 · answered by wade 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The atmosphere is trapping heat.
2007-02-03 10:37:35 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not always cooler the higher you go... Bad premise. :(
2007-02-03 10:38:04 · answer #8 · answered by freemichaelcampaign 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋