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Atmosphere

An atmosphere is a layer of gases that envelop an astronomical object, held in place by the gravity of the object. The name originates from Ancient Greek ἀτμός (atmós) 'vapour, steam' and σφαῖρα (sphaîra) 'sphere'. An object acquires most of its atmosphere during its primordial epoch, either by accretion of matter or by outgassing of volatiles. The chemical interaction of the atmosphere with a solid surface can change its fundamental composition, as can photochemical interaction with the host star. A body retains an atmosphere for longer durations when the gravity is high and the temperature is low. The stellar wind works to strip away a body's outer atmosphere, although this process is slowed by a magnetosphere. The further a body is from its star, the lower the rate of atmospheric stripping.