Estimating Atmospheric Mass Using Air Density

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method for estimating atmospheric mass by analyzing air density above Earth's surface, providing results consistent with pressure-based estimates and highlighting the impact of land elevation measurement improvements.

Contribution

It presents a new approach using air density measurements to estimate atmospheric mass, complementing traditional pressure-based methods.

Findings

Results align with recent pressure-based estimates.

Changes in estimates linked to improved land elevation data.

Provides atmospheric mass estimates by layer and elevation.

Abstract

Since the late 19th century, several investigators have estimated the mass of the atmosphere. Unlike previous studies, which focus on the average pressures on the earth's surface, this analysis uses the density of air above the earth's surface to predict the mass of the atmosphere. Results are consistent with recent pressure-based estimates. They indicate that changes in the latest estimates can be attributed to improved land elevation measurements between 1 km and 3 km. This work also provides estimates of atmospheric mass by layer and mean and median land elevations.