Wasn't sure where to put this one...

 

Was wondering what determines the distance of our atmosphere relative to the earth. I mean, why isn't the atmosphere a little tighter, clouds hovering mere hundreds of feet overhead rather than thousands?

well the distance of out atmosphere is roughly 0-100km. its as close to the grounds as you can get.

 

you seem to be talking about the cloud layers though. that all depends on temperatures, water content and hot/cold air boundaries. sometimes you get clouds at zero feet(fog) sometimes you get them at thousands (cirrus type)

Well, what I'm getting at is what's the characteristics we can derive from an earth with such low lying cloud layers, if that were the case? Wouldn't that suggest differences in habitat, planet surface and so forth? I just don't understand all the variables involved.

 

I mean, why not cirrus type just a few hundred feet up?

Because of pressure, and temperature. Cirrus clouds require a set pressure and temperature to form. The extent of the atmosphere and strength of the earths gravity are big factors in the pressure...