KWON O CHUL AstroPhotography

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The Earth is surrounded with the atmosphere that enables us to breathe!

If the Earth is imagined as the size of a soccer ball, the atmosphere would be equivalent to the thickness of a piece of paper. Of the air making up the atmosphere, 90% exists within the altitude of 16 km. Despite being this thin, it provides protection to the Earth against extreme heat and cold. In addition, the atmosphere prevents the Earth from being exposed to cosmic radiation and colliding with small rocks floating around in space. It enables life to be sustained on this planet.

This photo was taken from an International Space Station. The moon is visible beyond the atmosphere that appears blue.

The atmosphere of the Earth obstructs astronomical observation.

The atmosphere constantly shimmers and blocks a wide range of wavelengths other than visible light. This is why various space telescopes including the Hubble Space Telescope have been launched into outer space.

Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990
This telescope named after astronomer Edwin Hubble is the most famous space telescope in history. It has recorded many epoch-making scenes such as the oldest galaxy known to humanity.

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