Such a mysterious and little known airless space

Air is a mixture of gases, mainly nitrogen (78%) and oxygen O ₂ (21%). The bulk of air (80%) is in the lower atmosphere - the troposphere. The troposphere is approximately at an altitude of up to 15 km from the Earth's surface. Above are the upper layers of the atmosphere, the air in which is so rarefied that they are unsuitable for life and are called "airless space."

The door to space

Above the troposphere, up to 60 km in altitude above the surface of the Earth extends a huge airless space. This is the stratosphere. This layer is called "pre-cosmos", or "door to space." The main feature of it is a gradual rise in temperature along the vertical. From minus 60 ^o C at an altitude of 15-20 km from the surface of the Earth to plus 2 ^o C, respectively, at the highest point of the stratosphere at about an altitude of 55-60 km.

Stratosphere - a stable layer of the atmosphere, in which there is no convection of air.

There is practically no water vapor in this layer. But at an altitude of about 25 km sometimes there are so-called "mother-of-pearl" clouds. Their study and clarification of the nature of origin is conducted by scientists from all over the world.

Ozone layer - protective barrier

An important discovery was the discovery in the stratosphere of the ozone layer, consisting of special O ₃ oxygen molecules. This layer has a thickness of only 2-3 mm, but performs a very important function of protecting the planet and all living things on it from the harmful effects of ultraviolet solar radiation. Studying the properties of the ozone shield, the scientists found out that it is capable of destroying the gas of freon, which at one time was actively used in industry. At present, the use of freon is prohibited throughout the world, since the destruction of the ozone layer will inevitably lead to the death of all life on Earth.

Space

Outside the earth's atmosphere, an infinite airless space begins. This is the cosmos. Scientists believe that the whole cosmos consists of many galaxies. Each galaxy has its own structure. Humanity lives in a galaxy called the Solar System, which consists of a star - the Sun - and the planets revolving around it.

Scientists distinguish such concepts as "near" and "distant" space.

Near-space objects are within the solar system. These are planets and their satellites, the moon, meteorites, asteroids, comets. The objects of deep space are located outside the solar system. They are stars, galaxies, nebulae, black holes. The distance to them is calculated in light years.

Airless space. Difficulties in studying

The main difficulty in studying the stratosphere is that at this altitude the air is extremely rarefied. A person can not survive here without a special spacesuit. In addition to lack of oxygen for breathing, very low atmospheric pressure leads to the fact that the human body boils blood. Naturally, this is incompatible with life. Therefore, the study of the stratosphere began relatively recently - in the 30s of the 20th century, when the so-called stratospheric device was invented. For the first time on the stratosphere, the Swiss O. Picard and P. Kipfer rose to a height of 16 km. After 3 years, in 1934, a Soviet crew ascended to the layer of the stratosphere. Unfortunately, this scientific expedition ended tragically - the whole crew was killed.

If the stratosphere is difficult to study, then the exploration of space is in general an incredibly complex, enormously expensive, and often impossible at this stage of the development of science process.

Space objects and interplanetary stations are used to study objects of the "near" space. Man has so far given way to machines in the direct study of the cosmos, since this place is extremely dangerous.

The study of the objects of "distant" space is still possible only theoretically.

Anthropological use of airless space

Vacuum is a space absolutely free from any kind of matter, including air, that is, it is also an airless space. In the heavy and light industries, in medicine, construction, vacuum devices are widely used. In everyday life it is a well-known vacuum cleaner. Obtaining an absolute emptiness is incredibly difficult, and scientists are still on the way to this goal. A truly deep vacuum exists only in space.

The stratosphere is an ideal place for military pilots. Shells do not fly so high, and bombers or reconnaissance aircraft here are practically invulnerable to air defense. On the "second floor" of the atmosphere launch unmanned balloons-probes, which help meteorologists as accurately predict the weather.

Airless space called space is used to launch satellites that provide communication on the planet, help in the search for minerals, give forecasts of impending storms, cyclones and storms, help prevent droughts and floods.

The study of outer space fundamentally changed certain ideas of scientists about matter.

In addition, the study of outer space is driven by an infinite human curiosity, the desire to "look into the window," to learn the mysterious.