Students know the evidence indicating that the planets are much closer to Earth than the stars are. Students know that stars differ in their life cycles and that visual, radio, and X-ray telescopes may be used to collect data that reveal those differences. Meteorology A. Atmosphere 1. Earth's Atmosphere 4c. Students know the different atmospheric gases that absorb the Earth's thermal radiation and the mechanism and significance of the greenhouse effect.
Students know the thermal structure and chemical composition of the atmosphere.
Students know how the composition of Earth's atmosphere has evolved over geologic time and know the effect of outgassing, the variations of carbon dioxide concentration, and the origin of atmospheric oxygen. Students know the location of the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, its role in absorbing ultraviolet radiation, and the way in which this layer varies both naturally and in response to human activities. Energy from Sun 4a. Students know the relative amount of incoming solar energy compared with Earth's internal energy and the energy used by society. Students know the fate of incoming solar radiation in terms of reflection, absorption, and photosynthesis.