How does the atmosphere act as a blanket?

Explanation

The mass or body of gases that surrounds the Earth or any heavenly body is called atmosphere. Earth's atmosphere extends from the surface to a height of more than 1000 km, beyond which it merges gradually with solar atmosphere.
Earth's atmosphere acts as a protective blanket for the organisms to exist. It keeps the average temperature of the Earth fairly steady during the day and even during the course of whole year. In addition, the ozone shield (i.e., high concentration of ozone about 18-26 km above he surface of the Earth) of the atmosphere absorbs most of the harmful UV radiations coming from the sun thereby protecting human beings and animals from their harmful effects.