Stratosphere Liner Notes

Musical impressions of the elements, seasons, and multiple
spheres of activity concentric to the third planet in the solar system.

(This CD is available for purchase, please see info below.)

1. Spring Tide (2:52): The tide occuring shortly at or after the new and full moon. At these times the tides are higher and lower than normal. Sping Tide is also an expression for Spring Time, the vernal season of rebirth. (A 610k wave file excerpt is available by clicking on the provided link.)
2. Northern Crown (3:35): The small luminous constellation Corona Borealis, visible in the northern hemisphere during the spring. It features a distinctive group of stars that form a semicircle in which the brightest star, Gemma, is set like a jewel in the crown. (This is the default music playing in the background of this page. This midi file is also availble by clicking on the provided link.)
3. Hydrosphere (0:50): All the water surrounding the surface of the earth, including the oceans, lakes, and glaciers.
4. Moonrise (4:36): The upper limb of the moon rises to begin its journey above the horizon. Moonrise occurs in the east, the proverbial source of eternal wisdom and light. Throughout the ages, the lunar orbit has unfluenced the spheres of man, including mythology and philosophy, religion and paganism, tides and currents, and the outcome of battles.
5. Summer Triangle (2:12): A group of first magnitude stars visible during the summer in the northern skies. These stars are Deneb in the constellation Cygnus, Vega in Lyra, and Altair in Aquila. Visible in the southern skies is Sagittarius, rich in star clusters and nebulae. Within its borders lies the location of the center of the galaxy... the brightest part of the Milky Way.
6. Aurorae Borealis (5:00): The Northern Lights. Large scale discharges produced by atoms in the solar wind sweeping past energized electrons in the magnetosphere. The result is streams of light that dance down the earth's magnetic fields. It is mostly visible at night in a zone surrounding the north magnetic pole.
7. Troposphere (0:50): The lowest atmospsheric shell surrounding the earth, characterized by water vapor, vertical winds, and decreasing temperatures. It is in this region where all weather occurs.
8. Flying Dream (3:18): To have more freedom than a bird... to soar without wings. The only barriers are the ones we create ourselves. (A 790k wave file excerpt is available by clicking on the provided link.)
9. Autumn Conquest (3:15): The period of decline between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. Summer gasps its last breath, overcome by the inescapable onset of approaching winter.
10. The Philosophers Stone (2:04): Greek alchemists believed they could find the original substance of the universe by removing the four Aristotelian elements of water, fire, earth, and air from mercury. Their search was for the secrets of nature, the quintessence, or fifth essence, beyond the four elements. This substance is held to have mystic-magical powers that can transmute lead into gold, cure disease, restore youth, and prolong life.
11. Biosphere (0:55): The area on earth where life naturally occurs, extending from the deep crust to the lower atmosphere.
12. Solar Wind (2:39): Raging streams of ionized gas particles emitted from the solar corona, charging in all directions at supersonic speed. Its influence is felt throughout interplanetary space, and it provokes the Earth's atmosphere with polar aurorae and magnetic storms.
13. Winter Sky (3:19): Silent and still. Clear skies reveal Sirius, a binary star in Canis Major. The brightest star in the sky. Nearby, is the inconspicuous constellation Monoceros (the Unicorn). It is located diametrically opposite the center of the galaxy, towards the rim and outside edge of the Milky Way. As a result, this region of the sky has a low density of stars.
14. Space Port (5:55): A resting place for weary travelers in need of replenishment and repairs.
15. Stratosphere (0:51): The atmospheric layer located directly above the troposphere. Typically when elevation is increased, temperatures will decrease. Yet, over 50 km high, where temperatures are expected to be well below freezing, there is a warm zone. This phenomenon is caused by the presence of ozone, which absorbs ultraviolet light and heats up the atmosphere.
16. Moonset (3:00): The upper limb of the moon passes below the western horizon, completing its journey.

Composed, Produced, Arranged, and Performed by Tom Wagnerexcept Autumn Conquest Composed by Tom and Jerry Wagner

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