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green flash

(Encyclopedia)green flash or emerald flash, a refractive phenomenon of the atmosphere where the top edge of the setting (or, less frequently, rising) sun will momentarily turn emerald green. The green color lasts f...

Saint Elmo's fire

(Encyclopedia)Saint Elmo's fire, luminous discharge of electricity extending into the atmosphere from some projecting or elevated object. It is usually observed (often during a snowstorm or a dust storm) as brushli...

chemosphere

(Encyclopedia)chemosphere: see atmosphere.

exosphere

(Encyclopedia)exosphere: see atmosphere.

mesopeak

(Encyclopedia)mesopeak: see atmosphere.

mesosphere

(Encyclopedia)mesosphere: see atmosphere.

tropopause

(Encyclopedia)tropopause: see atmosphere.

troposphere

(Encyclopedia)troposphere: see atmosphere.

thermoshere

(Encyclopedia)thermoshere: see atmosphere.

airglow

(Encyclopedia)airglow, faint diffuse illumination of the sky originating in the upper atmosphere. Although it occurs at all times of day throughout the upper atmosphere, it is most typically visible to an observer ...