Atmosphere

File:Asp Scout Atmosphere Flight.jpg

Asp Scout atmosphere flight

An atmosphere is a gaseous layer that envelops an astronomical object. The object (planet) retains the atmosphere if its gravity is strong enough with a low atmospheric temperature. The outer region of a star is a stellar atmosphere. The Life Support module provides a breathable atmosphere inside a ship.

Earth's atmosphere is composed of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), argon (0.9%), carbon dioxide (0.04%) and trace gases. Most organisms breathe in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide. The atmospheric layers protect organisms from ultraviolet radiation, solar winds, sunlight and cosmic rays.

Atmosphere types

A catalog all types of atmospheres and colorization of each atmosphere in the game.

Type	Description	Rarity	Image
Silicate vapour	Seems to only be present on Metal rich worlds.	Super rare	File:Silicate Vapour atmosphere.jpg File:Silicate Vapour atmosphere 2.jpg
Oxygen	Present on High metal content, Ice worlds. Might be present on Rocky ice and rocky bodies as well. There is also an alt colorization of the atmosphere from the typical.	Rare	File:Oxygen Atmosphere ED.jpg File:Oxygen Atmosphere 2 SRV.jpg
Ammonia	Seems to come in two different types one with a yellow color and one with a orange greenish color with a red sunset. Rocky bodies and High metal content.	uncommon	File:Ammonia Atmosphere ED.jpg File:Ammonia Atmosphere Yellow ED.jpg
Carbon Dioxide	High Metal content, Rocky. Carbon Dioxide.	Common	File:Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere ED.jpg
Nitrogen	High metal content, Rocky, Ice worlds.	Rare	File:Nitrogen Atmosphere ED 1.jpg
Methane	Icy, rocky/ rocky ice high metal content	Uncommon	File:Methane Atmosphere ED 1.jpg
Argon	Icy, rocky, High metal content.	Uncommon	File:Argon Atmosphere ED 1.jpg
Water	Rocky Bodies.	Rare	File:Water Atmosphere ED 1.jpg
Sulphur dioxide	High Metal content, Rocky, Ice worlds.	Common	File:Sulphur Dioxide atmosphere ED 1.jpg
Neon rich	Icy, Rocky Ice. There is an alt colorization of the atmosphere.	Uncommon	File:Neon Rich Atmosphere ED.jpg
Argon-rich	Icy, Rocky Icy. Water Rich Super Rare. There is an alt color version.	Uncommon	File:Argon rich atmosphere ED.jpg
Carbon Dioxide-rich	Carbon Dioxide rich	Uncommon	File:Carbon Dioxide rich atmosphere ED.jpg
Helium	Helium atmospheres are rare - less than 0.6% of landable atmospherics. There's a lot of variation in helium atmospheres - they're often far from the stars and very dark, but they can be quite beautiful.	Rare	File:Helium atmosphere ED 1.jpg

Development

ED: Odyssey added landable planets and moons with tenuous atmospheres in 2021. The Stellar Forge was upgraded with: "use of a new Physically Based Rendering system throughout the game gives stars a new "light". Different planets' atmospheres will have different colours based on their primary composition. For example atmosphere colours/types: red, yellow, green, blue, lots of shades. Raleigh scattering for light refraction based on the star light's wavelength and planet atmosphere density. Mie scattering for light absorption based on atmosphere elements and composition. Oxygen, Argon, Neon, etc. absorb light differently. This produces a huge variety of visual possibilities."

Trivia

• The word 'atmosphere' comes from the Ancient Greek word 'atmós' (ἀτμός) which means 'steam, vapour', and the Greek word 'sphaîra' (σφαῖρα) which means 'sphere'.

Videos

• File:All Landable Atmospheres in Elite- Dangerous
• File:4 HOURS of Spaceflight with AMBIENT MUSIC in ELITE DANGEROUS