The accepted definition of space is the area beyond Earth’s atmosphere, so according to this definition, the upper boundary of space is generally considered to be the Karman Line, located about 100 km above Earth’s surface.
Above this altitude, the atmosphere is so thin that aeronautical lift – what allows planes to remain airborne – can no longer generate the necessary lift, meaning that any object or vehicle would have to be propelled in order to remain in the air.
This definition does, however, remain somewhat arbitrary and is not a set scientific point. For example, many nations have adopted the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s definition, which states that space begins at an altitude of 80 km, while different agencies and organizations have adopted various definitions involving different heights.
Ultimately, though, space isn’t marked by a single definite point, but is instead a region extending further and further away from the Earth, making the boundary between our planet’s atmosphere and space somewhat of a fuzzy one.
How above is space from Earth?
The exact distance between Earth and space is not set in stone, as the border between the two can be quite difficult to define. In general, most agree that the edge of space starts around 62 miles (100 km) above the Earth’s surface.
However, the Karman Line, which is the boundary between the Earth’s atmosphere and outer space according to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, is determined to be around 62 miles (100 km) above the Earth’s surface.
While this is often considered the boundary of space, other definitions vary widely, with some organizations accepting as low as 50 miles (80 km) above the Earth’s surface as the beginning of space.
How high up is the edge of space?
The edge of space is not a single definitive boundary; rather, it is an arbitrary limit that is defined differently depending on the functionality of the device in question and its ability to function in a vacuum.
Generally, the edge of space is accepted as occurring at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) above sea level. This kilometer mark is known as the Karman Line, after Theodore von Karman, the Hungarian-American physicist who helped postulate its existence.
Beyond this altitude, there is no atmosphere, and the temperature drops significantly. This is why most manned space missions launch from locations close to the equator, where the Earth’s rotational speed and atmosphere provide additional velocity to lift spacecraft higher and faster.
It is also why some satellite and communications networks tend to be placed in geostationary orbits which remain 35,786km above the surface, far beyond the reach of the atmosphere. Thus, the edge of space is considered to be above the Karman Line at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) above sea level.
Where does space end?
As the concept of space is infinite and without any definitive boundaries. We do know that space is expanding, so it covers an ever-increasing area, and that it goes on for beyond what can be seen with the naked eye and current technology.
Theoretically, space never ends, but it does become extremely thin and hard to detect beyond a certain point. This point is referred to as ‘the edge of the Universe’, although there is not necessarily a literal edge.
Beyond this point, anything will become almost impossible to detect due to the extremely low density and temperature. Scientists believe that there may be multiple parallel universes that exist at this point, although this is still unproven.
Why is space infinite?
The answer to why space is infinite is a complex one, as there is no clear-cut answer. It is widely believed that space is infinite, based on observations such as the expanding universe, which suggests that space is ever-expanding, not finite.
The theoretical Big Bang would also indicate that space has no boundaries and is infinite, as the initial explosion of energy and matter at the start of the universe would have spread outward infinitely in all directions.
Another indication that space is infinite is the steady-state theory, which states that while the universe is expanding, density remains near constant. This suggests that matter is continuously being created and is continually expanding infinitely.
When it comes to the actual concept of space being infinite, there is much disagreement from scientists and theorists. Some believe that space could be curved, meaning that it could actually be finite but wrapped in on itself.
Others argue that there could be a ‘multiverse,’ where space is actually made up of many smaller finite spaces, so together it appears infinite.
Ultimately, the answer to why space is infinite is still uncertain and remains a mystery. Rather than being a finite area, with limited expanses, many believe that space is indeed infinite, with no bounds or end.
How cold is the space?
The space is very cold. In fact, temperatures in space can range from about minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 156 degrees Celsius) near the surface of the Earth, to minus 430 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 253 degrees Celsius) in deep space.
However, the temperature of space can actually depend on the type of environment, since it can vary in different regions of solar systems, galaxies, and other astronomical objects. What’s more, space is almost a perfect vacuum, so there is no air or other substances that can help retain heat.
This Combine with the fact that there isn’t any air flow in space can contribute to making space very cold. Overall, one can safely say that space is extremely cold – much colder than anything experienced on Earth.
Will space be here forever?
No, it is unlikely that space will be here forever. The universe is thought to be expanding, and at some point in the distant future it is estimated that the universe may reach its maximum size and then begin to collapse.
This collapse could eventually create what is known as the “big crunch” where the entire universe would collapse in on itself, destroying all matter and energy that exists. In the end, the only thing that would be left is a singularity, which would be the only thing that would exist.
However, there is no way to accurately predict what will happen in the distant future, so anything is possible.
What was before the universe?
The nature of what was before the universe is largely unknown and a matter of speculation. Some theories suggest that prior to the creation of the universe, there was no time or space, and therefore, nothing else existed.
This is known as the pre-Big Bang state. This theory suggests that the universe, and everything within it, were created in a single instant of time known as the Big Bang. Other theories postulate that the universe existed in an infinite variety of different forms before the Big Bang.
This could include an endless cycle of expansion and contraction of what is known as a ‘Cyclic Universe’. It is possible that some form of matter or energy composed a multiverse before the Big Bang, but this is difficult to prove since the Big Bang theory accounts for all the known matter in the universe today.
Ultimately, the answer to what was before the universe is unknown and the subject of many theories and debates.
Is 50 miles up in space?
No, 50 miles is not very far up in space. The bottom of Earth’s atmosphere, known as the Kármán line, is located approximately 62 miles – or 100 km – up in the atmosphere, making it the accepted boundary between the Earth’s atmosphere and outer space.
Beyond the Kármán line, there is the mesosphere, which starts at roughly 50 miles above sea level, and extends to 31 miles. This brings us to the thermosphere, which starts at 31 miles and runs up to 621 miles above sea level.
Finally, there is the exosphere, which is the outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere, and starts at an altitude of 621 miles and continues outwards into space. Therefore, 50 miles is not very far up in space; it is still within Earth’s atmosphere.
How many miles above us is space?
Space begins about 62 miles above the Earth’s surface, though this varies depending on the specific location and time. This area is known as the Karman Line and is where the atmosphere of the Earth becomes so thin that aeronautical vehicles no longer need to rely on air for lift.
Beyond this point, the air becomes so thin that a spacecraft could reach orbits of hundreds of miles up and beyond. Generally, astronauts at the International Space Station are approximately 250 miles above our planet’s surface.
How high is 50 miles above the earth?
50 miles above the earth is equivalent to a height of 80.47 kilometers, or 249,959.07 feet. At this height, most of the Earth’s atmosphere has been left behind and there is very little air resistance or friction.
The vacuum of space has begun to take hold and temperatures drop to around -92.5 degrees Celsius (-134.5 degrees Fahrenheit).50 miles up is actually the last “atmospheric layer” before complete space, so if you are looking to enjoy the view of Planet Earth, this is the spot to go.
Depending on weather conditions, you may even be able to observe the curvature of the Earth’s surface.
How high up is space in feet?
The official edge of space begins at an altitude of 100 kilometers (62 miles) above the surface of the Earth. This is an altitude of 328,084 feet above the surface of the Earth. Above this altitude, you will find a vacuum of outer space, where the Earth’s atmosphere no longer exists.
This is why space is often referred to as the Final Frontier. However, it is important to note that there is no official boundary between our atmosphere and outer space, as the Earth’s atmosphere gradually thins as you move away from the planet’s surface.
To reach the boundary of Earth’s atmosphere, you would have to reach an altitude of 1,000 miles (at the Kármán line), which is a whopping 5,280,000 feet above the surface of the Earth. All in all, it is fair to say that space starts at an altitude of around 328,084 feet above the surface of the Earth.
What is 62 miles straight up?
62 miles straight up is the altitude of the stratosphere, which is one of the five atmospheric layers found within Earth’s atmosphere. The stratosphere starts at an altitude of around 6.2 miles (10km) and extends up to about 31 miles (50km).
At this altitude, the temperature increases as height increases and the air is almost completely dry. Although it is still considered part of the atmosphere, aircraft can fly above the stratosphere and pilots do not need pressurized cabins at that altitude.
Many types of aircraft, including jet airliners, U-2 spy planes, and high-altitude research balloons, can fly in this layer of the atmosphere due to the lack of drag and the low outside air temperature.
The stratosphere contains the ozone layer which absorbs much of the ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun. Thus, this layer of the atmosphere helps to protect life on Earth from the harmful effects of UV radiation.
At what altitude does gravity stop?
Gravity does not stop at any particular altitude. Instead, the magnitude of the gravitational force fades as the inverse square of distance from the source of the gravitational attraction. Thus, the further away you get, the weaker the force of gravity.
In practice, at the altitude of the ISS (International Space Station) at 408 km (254 mi) above the Earth’s surface, gravity is still 92% of its value at the Earth’s surface. The magnitude of the Earth’s gravitational pull continues to diminish exponentially with increased altitude, but never reaches zero.
Even beyond the atmosphere, at the orbits of space satellites or further, gravity still exists.
What is the closest point to space?
The closest point to space is the Kármán Line, an internationally recognized benchmark of 100 kilometers (62.137 miles) above the Earth’s sea level surface, which is the accepted definition of the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space.
Above this line, the sky is black and the curvature of the Earth can be seen with the naked eye. This generally accepted altitude also marks a transition in atmospheric conditions, with the lower atmosphere characterized by air drag and the upper reaches of the atmosphere displaying the properties of a vacuum.
