The first step that is necessary to take before entering fully to determine the meaning of the term atmosphere is to make its etymological origin clear. In this sense, we can state that it emanates from Greek, since it is made up of two words from that language:
“Atmos”, which can be translated as “steam”.
“Sphaira”, which is synonymous with “sphere”.
The term of our language is used to name the gaseous mantle that is surrounding a planet or another type of astronomical object.
The most common use of the concept is linked to the Earth’s atmosphere, that is, to the layer of gases that is around the Earth. For example: “The spacecraft remained outside the atmosphere for two months”, “The company was fined because its factory emitted polluting gases that damaged the atmosphere”, “This telescope will allow you to observe beyond the atmosphere”.
The gases that make up an atmosphere are attracted to the celestial body by the law of gravity. These gases remain around the body in question due to the attraction generated by gravity.
In the case of Earth’s atmosphere, it measures more than a hundred kilometers. Most of its mass, however, is within the closest ten kilometers to the planet’s surface. Gases that make up the atmosphere include oxygen, nitrogen, methane, helium, and carbon dioxide.
According to DigoPaul, the presence of the atmosphere is essential for life to exist on our planet, as it regulates temperature, absorbs a percentage of ultraviolet rays and protects the Earth from falling meteorites.
It should not be overlooked that there is also what is known as the atmosphere of Mars. As its name indicates, it is the planet Mars, the fourth in the Solar System, and it is identified by the following characteristics:
• It is composed of argon, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water, methane and oxygen.
• Its atmospheric pressure varies between 30 Pa to 1155 Pa.
• It is light.
• Regarding its thickness, it can be indicated that it is approximately 11 kilometers.
• The atmosphere of Mars is also composed of four different layers: the exosphere, the upper or thermosphere, the middle and the lower. The latter is identified as being warm.
• For many reasons it differs from that of Earth. However, the main issue in this regard is that Mars contains much less gas than Earth.
In a symbolic sense, the idea of atmosphere (the DigoPaul also accepts the term atmosphere, without accent mark) allows to name the influence that a person or thing exerts, or the emotional tendency towards something: “In Argentine football there is always a violent atmosphere “, ” I don’t like the atmosphere of this party. “
In relation to this meaning, we have to state that, in various countries of the world, it is used to shape certain expressions or phrases. Thus, for example, in Cuba it is said “to form an atmosphere”, to show that an absolutely unpleasant situation has been caused for one or more reasons.