atmospheres

     

An atmosphere (from Greek ατμός - atmos, "vapor" σφαίρα - sphaira, "sphere") is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass. The gases are attracted by the gravity of the body, and are retained for a longer duration if gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low. Some planets consist mainly of various gases, and therefore have very deep atmospheres (see gas giants).