Everything you need to know about Ozone Layer.

Yes, my astronomers there's been a rise in global temperature in recent times and depletion of the ozone layer is one of the factors behind it.

                                                                         

 

So, in today's blog let us go beyond the atmosphere and explode this invisible protective shield. That surrounds the earth and tackles a globally important question, what is the ozone layer? and what's causing a hole in it? Did you know the word ozone means smelly in Greek because the gas has a strong order. So, let's talk about what is ozone layer. Have you ever wondered why do you apply sunscreen before stepping out into the sun. Well, that's because of harmful radiation known as uv rays or ultraviolet rays emitting from the sun. But despite their fascinating name too much exposure to the sun's uv rays can increase the risk of skin cancer and can severely affect your immune system. Not only that but these rays can even harm the single cell organisms, plants and aquatic animals.

But don't you worry, because between the sun's harmful race and life on Earth lies an invisible pale blue protective shield, we call the ozone layer. but the critical question is what is the ozone layer? Well for that we need to travel up all the way into the atmosphere; where some oxygen molecules that contain two atoms absorbed energy from the sun's uv rays and split to form a single oxygen atom. Then these single atoms mix with the remaining oxygen with two atoms to form a thin layer of oxygen gas with 3 atoms to form the ozone layer. This layer is about three to five millimeters in thickness and surrounds the earth, shielding and protecting the planet from harmful radiation coming from the sun.

                                                                        

Everything was safe and fine for billions of years, until in the 1970s. Scientists discovered that this thin layer of gas is slowly depleting, and evidence revealed that certain man-made chemicals were responsible for it.  Chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and nitrogen oxide coming out from a wide range of industrial and consumer appliances mainly refrigerators, air conditioners and fire extinguishers below towards the ozone layer. Also, CFC molecules are highly stable and can last for up to 100 years. Yes, and unfortunately this gives them plenty of time to find their way to the ozone layer and begin to destroy the oxygen molecules resulting in thinning of the ozone layer, which is popularly known as the ozone hole. But fortunately, all is not lost yet. as with increasing awareness about the harmful effect of CFC and other chemicals the production and consumption of such substances have decreased to a significant level. And as a result, the ozone layer is slowly getting healed and getting back to its original form.

But as a responsible person, we should play our part to serve the ecosystem as well, so what can we do to help well there isn't much we can do about the CFC's that were released already, but there are some things we can do now and the first thing to do is spreading awareness about its harmful effects amongst our friends and family. The other essential thing we can do is if you have air conditioners or refrigerators more than 20 or more years old make sure you replace it with a new one and be sure to have the old one disposed of properly.   Also, CFC molecules are highly stable and can last for up to 100 years. Yes, and unfortunately this gives them plenty of time to find their way to the ozone layer. So, let's do our best to stop them and the right time to do is now. 

                                                                             

 

So, my dear astronomer team the description of the ozone layer that we talked about today ends here. Some things in our life can be lost because of the small things we do, like ozone layer. Therefore, we do not let the precious things in life get lost and live with care. See you again in another blog and stay tune...