Exploratour - The Atmosphere of Mars
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Layers
The atmospheres of each of the planets is made of layers. The atmosphere of the Earth is divided into five layers. The atmosphere of Mars is only divided into three layers. There is no ozone layer on Mars, so there is no layer which corresponds to the stratosphere of the Earth. If there is any weather, it takes place in the first layer (the troposphere). On Mars, the first layer is twice as large as the first layer of the Earth's atmosphere.The middle of the atmosphere is called the mesosphere. The temperature of this region is usually the coldest part of the atmosphere. On Mars, the mesosphere is the layer on top of the troposphere. On Earth the stratosphere is on top of the troposphere, and the mesosphere is on top of that.
The very top of the atmosphere is called the exosphere. Temperatures in this region are very hot. The Martian exosphere contains the ionosphere, a layer of ionized gas that extends from about 75 miles to several hundred miles above the surface. On Earth, the ionosphere is an extension of the thermosphere, the Earth's fifth layer.