lower atmosphere (troposphere) are chemically identical, because they
all consist of three oxygen atoms and have the chemical formula O 3 .
However, they have very different roles in the atmosphere and very
different effects on humansand other living beings. Stratospheric
ozone (sometimes referred to as"good ozone") plays a beneficial role
by absorbing most of the biologically damaging ultraviolet sunlight
(called UV-B), allowing only a small amount to reach the Earth's
surface. The absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone creates a
source ofheat, which actually forms the stratosphere itself (a region
in which the temperature rises as one goes to higher altitudes). Ozone
thus plays a key role in the temperature structure of the Earth's
atmosphere . Without the filtering actionof the ozone layer, more
ofthe Sun's UV-B radiation would penetrate the atmosphere and would
reach the Earth's surface. Many experimental studies of plants and
animals and clinical studies of humans have shown the harmful effects
of excessive exposure to UV-B radiation.
http://www.ozonelayer.noaa.gov/science/basics.htm
A ton of more references and articles could be given about the Ozone
layer and its importance and benefit for us humans, the main important
point is that the Quran precisely already informed us about the
atmosphere's helping handfor us humans!
The help doesn't just come from the Ozone layer; for instance the
atmospheric layer known as the stratosphere also benefits us humans:
Commercial airliners typically cruise at altitudes of 9-12 km in
temperate latitudes, in the lower reaches of the stratosphere. They do
this to optimize jet engine fuel burn, mostly thanks to the low
temperatures encountered near the tropopause. It also allows them to
stay above any hard weather, and avoid atmospheric turbulence from the
convection in the troposphere . (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratosphere#Aircraft_flight )
Then we have the other layer of the earth's atmosphere, the
mesosphere, although not much is known about the mesosphere, what we
do know is that this is the area where meteors burn and break up,
which largely benefits us as well:
What do we know about the mesosphere? Most meteors from space burn up
in this layer. A special type of clouds, called " noctilucent clouds
", sometimes forms in the mesosphere near the Northand South Poles.
These clouds are strange because they form much, much higher up than
any other type of cloud . There are also odd types of lightning in the
mesosphere. These types of lightning, called"sprites" and "ELVES",
appear dozens of miles above thunderclouds in the troposphere below. (
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/mesosphere.html
)
Then we have another layer of the atmosphere known as the thermosphere:
Much of the X-ray and UV radiation from the Sun is absorbed in the
thermosphere. When the Sun is very active and emitting more high
energyradiation, the thermosphere gets hotter and expands or "puffs
up". Because of this, the height of the top of the thermosphere (the
thermopause) varies. The thermopause is found at analtitude between
500 km and 1,000 km or higher. Since many satellites orbit within the
thermosphere, changes in the density of (the very, very thin) air at
orbital altitudes brought on by heating and expansion of the
thermosphere generates a drag force on satellites. Engineers must take
this varying drag into account when calculating orbits, and satellites
occasionally need to be boosted higher to offset the effects of the
drag force. ( http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/thermosphere.html
)
Then you also have the ionosphere, which also benefits us:
Our society has learned to use the properties of the ionosphere in
many beneficial ways over the last century ( radio, television,
satellite communications, etc. ), but there is still a great deal to
learn about its physics, its chemical makeup and its everyday changes
because of solar radiation. (
http://www.uaf.edu/asgp/hex/ionosphere.htm )
So in conclusion the Quran got it completely right when it said the following:
And We have made the heavens as a canopy wellguarded : yet do they
turn away from the Signs whichthese things (point to)! (21:32)
It is Allah Who has made for you the earth as a resting place, and the
sky as a canopy , and has given you shape- and made your shapes
beautiful,- and has provided for you Sustenance, of things pure and
good;- such is Allah your Lord. So Glory to Allah,the Lord of the
Worlds! (40:64)
Indeed, modern day science has proven that theabove two statements
could not be more right!
And Allah certainly knows best!
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