The Thin Line of the Earth’s Atmosphere

This video from the ISS (International Space Station) captures the beauty and wonder of the Earth’s atmosphere.  It also reminds us that it is just a thin line of atmosphere that protects Earth and all of it’s inhabitants from the unforgiving forces of space.

This thin protective layer only extends about 100km (60 miles) above the surface of the earth.  But it makes life possible by allowing the earth’s average mean temperature to be 57 °F (14.4°C) and not to be subjected to the -250 to +250 °F (-157 to 121°C) that the ISS experiences between the side away from the sun and the side towards the sun.

http://youtu.be/zymQQP4B21Q

The thin line seems almost poetic and representative of how fragile we are in the grand scheme of things.  And it reminds us of how good we have it and that we should make the most of what we have been given.