• Question: why have we got an atmoshere?

    Asked by Alfie G to Heather, Helen, Hugh, Jane, Julian on 14 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Julian Onions

      Julian Onions answered on 14 Nov 2014:

      We have an atmosphere because Earth is big enough so it has enough gravity to hold onto gases. Its not big enough to hold onto Hydrogen and Helium, but most of the rest it can keep. Mars which is smaller still has an atmosphere but it is very thin in comparison, as it is quite easy to lose gases on Mars.
      Jupiter on the other hand, is much bigger, and is nearly all atmosphere!

    • Photo: Helen Johnson

      Helen Johnson answered on 16 Nov 2014:

      The atmosphere is really important, not only because it means we have oxygen to breath, but because it protects us from harmful radiation from the Sun, and things impacting us from outer space. Sometimes we see ‘shooting stars’ – have you ever seen one? – these are basically just fragments of rock falling through the atmosphere, caused by meteors breaking apart and burning up before they reach the ground.

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