Describe the Most Important Permanent Gases of the Atmosphere
A planet retains an atmosphere when the gravity is great and the temperature of the atmosphere is low. An atmosphere from Ancient Greek ἀτμός atmós vapour steam and σφαῖρα sphaîra sphere is a layer of gas or layers of gases that envelope a planet and is held in place by the gravity of the planetary body. Climate Science Investigations South Florida Energy The Driver Of Climate A stellar atmosphere is the outer region of a star which. . Greenhouse gases such as methane CH 4 nitrous oxide N 2 O water vapor H 2 O and carbon dioxide CO 2 absorb certain wavelengths of OLR preventing the thermal radiation from reaching space adding heat to the atmosphere. Some of this thermal radiation is directed back towards the Earth by scattering increasing the average temperature of the Earths surface.