Humans can live on Earth because 1) its atmosphere is composed of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen generated by plants, water (H2O) and water vapor which create our weather; and 2) Earth has a moderate temperature. Our atmosphere has ozone layers which protect us from harmful radiation from the Sun and help to keep objects from entering our atmosphere.
Ozones, unstable molecules found in the Earth's atmosphere, are made up of three atoms of oxygen or O3. There are good and bad ozones, depending upon the balance between activities that create bad ozones and those that destroy good ozones. The key is to continue activities that produce good ozones and minimize harmful activities that destroy good ozones. As long as ozone is being created at the same rate it is being destroyed, the total amount of ozone will remain the same. However, our society produces chemicals and gases that enter our atmosphere and destroy good ozones more rapidly than they are created.
FORWARD
Please send any comments to:
Curator:
Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov