Atmosphere vs. Sky — What's the Difference?

An atmosphere (from the greek words ἀτμός (atmos), meaning 'vapour', and σφαῖρα (sphaira), meaning 'ball' or 'sphere') is a layer or a set of layers of gases surrounding a planet or other material body, that is held in place by the gravity of that body. An atmosphere is more likely to be retained if the gravity it is subject to is high and the temperature of the atmosphere is low.

The sky is everything that lies above the surface of the Earth, including the atmosphere and outer space. In the field of astronomy, the sky is also called the celestial sphere.

The gaseous mass or envelope surrounding a celestial body, especially the one surrounding the earth, and retained by the celestial body's gravitational field.

The expanse of air over any given point on the earth; the upper atmosphere as seen from the earth's surface.

The air or climate in a specific place.

Often skies The appearance of the upper atmosphere, especially with reference to weather

Abbr. atm Physics A unit of pressure equal to the air pressure at sea level. It equals the amount of pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 millimeters high at 0 degrees Celsius under standard gravity, or 14.7 pounds per square inch (1.01325 × 105 pascals).

The celestial regions; the heavens

A dominant intellectual or emotional environment or attitude

The highest level or degree

The dominant tone or mood of a work of art.

To hit or throw (a ball, for example) high in the air.

An aesthetic quality or effect, especially a distinctive and pleasing one, associated with a particular place

To hang (a painting, for example) high up on the wall, above the line of vision.

The gases surrounding the Earth or any astronomical body.

To jump very high in order to make a play, as in getting a rebound in basketball.

The air in a particular place.

The atmosphere above a given point, especially as visible from the surface of the Earth as the place where the sun, moon, stars, and clouds are seen.

The conditions (such as music, illumination etc.) that can influence the mood felt in an environment.

With a descriptive word: the part of the sky which can be seen from a specific place or at a specific time; its climate, condition, etc.

The apparent mood felt in an environment.

Usually preceded by the: the abode of God or the gods, angels, the souls of deceased people, etc.; heaven; also, powers emanating from heaven.

A unit of measurement for pressure equal to 101325 Pa (symbol: atm)

Ellipsis of sky blue

Extras in a scene who have no spoken lines.

The set of all lightlike lines (or directions) passing through a given point in space-time.

The whole mass of aëriform fluid surrounding the earth; - applied also to the gaseous envelope of any celestial orb, or other body; as, the atmosphere of Mars.

In an art gallery: the upper rows of pictures that cannot easily be seen; also, the place where such pictures are hung.

A supposed medium around various bodies; as, electrical atmosphere, a medium formerly supposed to surround electrical bodies.

(obsolete) A cloud.

The pressure or weight of the air at the sea level, on a unit of surface, or about 14.7 lbs. to the sq. inch.

(transitive)

Any surrounding or pervading influence or condition.

(informal) To drink (a beverage) from a container without one's lips touching the container.

The portion of air in any locality, or affected by a special physical or sanitary condition; as, the atmosphere of the room; a moist or noxious atmosphere.

To hang (a picture on exhibition) near the top of a wall, where it cannot easily be seen; (by extension) to put (something) in an undesirable place.

A particular environment or surrounding influence;

To toss (something) upwards; specifically, to flip (a coin).

A unit of pressure: the pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 mm high at sea level and 0 degrees centigrade

(sports)

The mass of air surrounding the Earth;

(obsolete) To raise (the price of an item on auction, or the level of the bids generally) by bidding high.

The weather or climate at some place;

(intransitive)

The envelope of gases surrounding any celestial body

To move quickly, as if by flying; to fly; also, to escape, to flee (especially by airplane).

A distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing;

(sports)

A cloud.

Hence, a shadow.

The apparent arch, or vault, of heaven, which in a clear day is of a blue color; the heavens; the firmament; - sometimes in the plural.

The wheather; the climate.

To hang (a picture on exhibition) near the top of a wall, where it can not be well seen.

To throw towards the sky; as, to sky a ball at cricket.

The atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

Throw or toss with a light motion;