UCSB Science Line
Sponge Spicules Nerve Cells Galaxy Abalone Shell Nickel Succinate X-ray Lens Lupine
UCSB Science Line
Home
How it Works
Ask a Question
Search Topics
Webcasts
Our Scientists
Science Links
Contact Information
How far in distanc is space form earth?
Question Date: 2013-02-15
Answer 1:

The Earth is protected from the harsh conditions of space by a thin layer of gases that we call our atmosphere. The farther way from Earth's surface you go, the less dense (thinner) the air gets. Eventually, the air gets so thin that scientists consider it the "vacuum" of space (vacuum simply refers to empty space, containing no matter). This transition from atmosphere to space is found about 62-75 miles above the surface, depending on which scientist you ask. When spacecraft re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, they start to "feel" the effects of the atmosphere around 75 miles above the surface, so that's the figure I like to use.



Click Here to return to the search form.

University of California, Santa Barbara Materials Research Laboratory National Science Foundation
This program is co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation and UCSB School-University Partnerships
Copyright © 2020 The Regents of the University of California,
All Rights Reserved.
UCSB Terms of Use