The mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere. It extends from the top of the stratosphere (50 km = 31 miles) to about 80 km (50 miles) above Earth’s surface. The mesosphere is very cold because it is not heated by the Sun. This layer is sometimes called the “middle atmosphere” because it is between the stratosphere and the exosphere.
Some facts about the mesosphere
- The mesosphere is the middle layer of Earth’s atmosphere, between the stratosphere and the thermosphere.
- The mesosphere is very cold, with temperatures ranging from -85 degrees Celsius (-121 degrees Fahrenheit) to -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit).
- The mesosphere is home to meteors, which burn up in the atmosphere when they enter it.
- The mesosphere is also home to the aurora, a phenomenon caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere.