Mesosphere temperature range. This is the coldest part of the atmosphere.
Mesosphere temperature range The layers of the atmosphere: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere What is mesosphere's temperature? The mesosphere is the third layer of the Earth's atmosphere, located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. [^6] Structure of Earth, with the lower mantle labelled The lower mantle, historically also called the mesosphere, occupies about 56% of the total volume of Earth, and is the region from 660 to 2,890 km (410 to 1,800 mi) below Earth's surface; between the transition zone and the outer core. Nov 16, 2024 · The mesosphere is the third layer in sequence from the earth surface in Earth's atmosphere after the troposphere and stratosphere. It is 35 kilometers thick. The temperature decreases as one goes further higher. Mar 5, 2020 · What is the temperature range of stratosphere and mesosphere? Near the equator, the lower edge of the stratosphere is as high as 20 km (66,000 ft; 12 mi), at midlatitudes around 10 km (33,000 ft; 6. The temperature drops when you go higher, like it does in the troposphere. Feb 7, 2025 · The mesosphere is one of the 5 layers of the atmosphere. Mesosphere The mesosphere layer is the middle layer, so it called the mesosphere (meso means middle). Temperatures in the upper thermosphere can range from about 500° C (932° F) to 2,000° C (3,632° F) or higher. AI generated definition based on: Encyclopedia of Introduction The mesosphere is the region of the atmosphere located between the stratosphere and the thermosphere, between 50 and 90 km, in which temperature decreases with height. The mesosphere is above the stratosphere layer. Temperatures fall off in the mesosphere because there is less heating by ozone and emission to space by carbon dioxide is an Mar 12, 2025 · The temperature in the mesosphere ranges from about -50°C (-58°F) to -90°C (-130°F) as altitude increases. As the layer absorbs the radiation from the sun, heat decreases, emission of carbon-dioxide cools increasingly. In this region, air temperature increases with altitude. The mesosphere ranges in temperatures from -2. It can get down to -90°C in the mesosphere. In this article, you will read about the mesosphere in detail for the IAS exam. Understanding its properties, particularly the temperature range of the mesosphere, is essential for atmospheric science. Explore its characteristics, composition, functions, and importance in protecting our planet and influencing climate. This is primarily due to the absorption of intense solar radiation. 2 mi), and at the poles about 7 km (23,000 ft; 4. May 21, 2024 · The top of the mesosphere is the coldest place in the atmosphere, with temperatures falling as low as -225°F (about -143°C). Earth's atmosphere is composed of a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. Moving upward from ground level, these layers are called the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The vertical structure of the atmosphere The Earth’s atmosphere is most commonly divided into four isothermal layers or ‘spheres’: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere. The top of the mesosphere is the coldest part of the atmosphere. The mesosphere extends from approximately 50 kilometers to 85 kilometers above the earth. In some layers, temperature increases with altitude and in others it decreases. It extends from about 50 to 85 km (31 to 53 miles) above the Earth Surface. The temperature in the mesosphere ranges from about -50°C (-58°F) to -90°C (-130°F) as altitude increases. The troposphere is the lowest of the four layers and extends from the surface of the Earth to about 11 km (6. This outer layer of the atmosphere is Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. So, it is called the coldest layer. This layer of the atmosphere extends from about 31 miles (50 kilometers) to 53 miles (85 kilometers) above the Earth's surface. 3 mi) Temperatures range from an average of −51 °C (−60 °F; 220 K) near the tropopause to an average of −15 °C (5. This is the third The mesosphere extends from about 50 km to 80-90 km altitude above Earth's surface. The best answer choice that fits this range is D. Each layer has distinct properties and temperature ranges: Lithosphere: This layer is the outermost part of the mantle, which includes both the crust and the uppermost portion of the mantle. Nov 7, 2025 · The mesosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere that is about 50 to 85 kilometers (31 to 53 miles) above the Earth's surface. The layer above the mesosphere is called the thermosphere. The mesosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere with temperature decreasing with height. The temperature gradient of each layer is different. Oct 18, 2022 · The range in pressures cover atmospheric regions from the lower boundary of the mesosphere (as we define it for this paper) into the lower thermosphere over an approximate altitude range of 48–105 km. The mesosphere (/ ˈmɛsəsfɪər, ˈmɛz -, ˈmiːsə -, - zə -/; [1] from Ancient Greek μέσος (mésos) 'middle' and - sphere) is the third layer of the atmosphere, directly above the stratosphere and directly below the thermosphere. Discover its unique characteristics and importance in our planet's atmospheric system. Temperature decreases with altitude in the mesosphere. (2003) and Beig (2011) reviewed many studies based on rocketsonde and lidar measurements, indicating that the mesosphere has been cooling since the 1970s, at a rate of around 1 to 3 K/decade. This guide delves into the specifics of this layer and its thermal The mesosphere is defined as the region of the atmosphere located between 50 and 90 km in altitude, where temperature decreases with height until the mesopause, the boundary with the thermosphere. [1] The preliminary reference Earth model (PREM) separates the lower mantle into three sections, the Nov 7, 2025 · The mesosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere that is about 50 to 85 kilometers (31 to 53 miles) above the Earth's surface. It rises to about 85 kilometers (53 miles) above the surface. In fact, the top of this layer is the coldest place found within the Earth system, with an average temperature of about minus 85 degrees Celsius (minus 120 degrees Fahrenheit). This range is due to the temperature differences between the tropics and poles. Here are some features of the mesosphere: Temperature: the temperature in the mesosphere decreases with altitude, reaching as low as -100 degrees Celsius (-148 degrees Fahrenheit) at the top of the layer. Temperature decreases with altitude in this layer. Located between about 50 and 80 kilometers (31 and 50 miles) above Earth’s surface, the mesosphere gets progressively colder with altitude. Earth Sciences Mesosphere The mesosphere is the earth's atmosphere located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. In some layers there is an increase in Nov 7, 2025 · Explore 15 fascinating facts about the mesosphere, the layer of Earth's atmosphere that holds many mysteries and scientific wonders. The top of the mesosphere reaches a low of around -90° C (-130° F). It extends from the stratopause, which is the contact zone between the stratosphere and the mesosphere. Dec 1, 2024 · 3. See full list on sciencenotes. Nov 6, 2020 · The Earth's mantle is divided into three main layers: the lithosphere, asthenosphere, and mesosphere. As the gases in this layer decrease with height, the air becomes thinner. The air is much thinner (less dense) in the mesosphere than in the stratosphere below. It can even reach temperatures of -80° C, at short distances. The Earth's atmosphere is composed of five layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. May 4, 2018 · Mesosphere: The mesosphere is the coldest layer, dropping to as low as -184 degrees Fahrenheit. Dec 12, 2020 · Temperature is high in the upper part of the stratosphere layer, this is due to the absorption of ultraviolet rays (emitted from the Sun) by the ozone layer, which is present at its upper part. As you get higher up in the mesosphere, the temperature gets colder. But what exactly is it, and what are its characteristics and facts that define it? Dec 17, 2024 · The mesosphere is characterized by very cold temperatures, typically falling between -130°F to -200°F. As GW pass upward through progressively thinner air, the Sep 13, 2024 · Abstract. This layer features the highest clouds on Earth and is characterized by low temperatures, often reaching as low as 90 K during polar summer. Mesosphere, region of the upper atmosphere between about 50 and 80 km (30 and 50 miles) above the surface of the Earth. . The freezing temperatures cause ice to form on the rock and metal particles in the atmosphere, which can then form what are known as noctilucent clouds. Temperatures as high as 0 °C (32 °F) are observed near the top of the stratosphere. In the mesosphere, temperature decreases as altitude increases. Mesosphere layer protects the planet Earth from the celestial rocky masses that enter the atmospheric envelope of the Earth The top of the mesosphere is the coldest part of the atmosphere. The temperature decreases with height in this layer. It is sandwiched between the stratosphere, which lies below it, and the thermosphere, which lies above it. The mesopause is Jul 17, 2008 · The mesosphere is the third layer in the atmosphere. Thermosphere The 2. 8 mi) into the atmosphere, where the May 29, 2018 · Mesosphere Based on the vertical temperature distribution in Earth [1]'s atmosphere, four semi-horizontal layers or "spheres" can be distinguished: the troposphere, stratosphere , mesosphere, and thermosphere,. Oct 2, 2019 · Mesosphere. Dec 31, 2024 · Discover the fascinating mesosphere, the third layer of Earth’s atmosphere. [^5] Viscosity: The viscosity of the mesosphere is thought to be relatively low, allowing for significant deformation and flow over geological timescales. Due to the low density and the fact that there is hardly any more ozone and the absorption of high-energy UV radiation takes place in the stratosphere, the temperature drops again from around 0 ° C at the stratopause with seasonal fluctuations to an average of Jan 13, 2020 · The temperature ranges from negative 184 degrees Fahrenheit at the mesosphere’s upper boundary to 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit (2,000 degrees Celsius) near the upper boundary as ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from the sun is absorbed. It is the third layer of the atmospheric envelope. The temperature of the middle layer becomes colder as the distance to the earth increases, that is, the altitude increases. Whereas, the mesosphere experiences a decrease in temperature with altitude, making it the coldest layer of Earth's atmosphere. Around -150°F. Mesosphere In the past, only limited, local information on long-term trends in the temperature in the mesosphere has been available. 3 Mesosphere Above Earth's stratopause, temperature again falls off with height, although at a slower rate than in the troposphere. Above the tropopause and the isothermal layer in the lower stratosphere, temperature increases with height. Unveil the secrets of meteors, temperature regulation, and more! Aug 29, 2025 · The mesosphere, often referred to as the "middle atmosphere," is a layer of Earth's atmosphere that plays a crucial role in protecting our planet. org Mesosphere, region of the upper atmosphere between about 50 and 80 km (30 and 50 miles) above the surface of the Earth. The informally-defined beginning of space begins in the mesosphere because there is just enough air to cause friction for objects approaching Earth from space. It extends from about 50 to 85 km and has the coldest temperatures near the top. The stratosphere is approximately 30 kilometers thick and comprises oxygen and nitrogen atoms and ozone molecules. The coldest temperatures in Earth's atmosphere, about -90° C (-130° F), are found near the top of this layer. Jan 31, 2022 · The stratosphere is the layer of the Earth 's atmosphere between the troposphere and the mesosphere. Temperatures in this region can plummet to around -125°C during summer, with the warmest temperatures reaching about -5°C just above the stratopause. 0 °F; 260 K) near the Sep 7, 2014 · The temperature in the mesosphere layer decreases with a rate as we go up until it reaches (- 90 degrees Celsius) at its top. The mesosphere extends from about 50 km to 85 km above the Earth's surface and is known for having the lowest temperatures in the atmosphere. Beig et al. This is where we live. There are fewer air molecules to absorb incoming electromagnetic radiation from the Sun. The observed increase of temperature with height in the The mesosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. Most meteors vaporize in the mesosphere. Temperatures can drop to as low as -90°C (-130°F) at its highest point. Fig 1: Vertical temperature profile of the ICAO Standard Atmosphere Each layer is characterised by a uniform change in temperature with increasing altitude. The base of the mesosphere is defined as the temperature maximum existing at the top of the stratosphere, with the boundary between the two regions usually called the stratopause. This is the coldest part of the atmosphere. The temperature trend in the mesosphere and lower-thermosphere (MLT) region can be regarded as an indicator of climate change. That's the coldest part of the atmosphere! Troposphere The troposphere begins at the Earth's surface and extends up to 4-12 miles (6-20 km) high. Like tropospheric temperature, mesospheric temperature characteristically decreases with increasing height. Mesosphere, altitude and temperature characteristics The mesosphere is a layer within the Earth's atmosphere that extends from about 50 kilometres height (above the stratosphere) and about 90 kilometres (below the thermosphere). Jun 13, 2024 · Temperatures in the mesosphere can range from about -90°C to -120°C. Within the stratosphere, the temperature can range from about -50 degrees Celsius at the lower levels to around 0 degrees Celsius near the stratopause, marking the boundary between the stratosphere and the mesosphere. The mesosphere layer contains limited quantities of helium and hydrogen gases only, So, It is highly rarefied. These temperatures are significantly colder than those found in the lower layers of the atmosphere due to the decreasing May 3, 2022 · The mesosphere is the coldest part of the atmosphere, with an average temperature of −85 °C (−120 °F; 190 K). Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. The mesosphere starts at 50 km (31 miles) above Earth's surface and goes up to 85 km (53 miles) high. These layers are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. The exosphere is the uppermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere, and is point at which the atmosphere becomes thin and merges with interplanetary space. The atmosphere is divided into layers based on how the temperature in that layer changes with altitude, the layer’s temperature gradient. As you climb higher, the temperature drops from about 62°F (17°C) to -60°F (-51°C). The exosphere gradually fades away into the realm of interplanetary space. This layer is characterized by a decrease in temperature with increasing altitude, where temperatures can drop as low as -90°C (-130°F). Jul 8, 2019 · How Cold Is The Exosphere? The exosphere's position relative to the Earth. Almost all weather occurs in this Temperature varies greatly at different heights relative to the surface of the Earth; it is this variation which characterizes the four layers that exist in the atmosphere. Using temperature profiles measured by the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument during 2002–2023 and binning them based on the yaw cycle, we obtain a continuous dataset with a wide local time coverage at 50° S At the top of this mesosphere area, the temperature ranges between -130 degrees Celsius to -150 degrees Celsius, being known as ‘Mesopause’. Earth's stratosphere and mesosphere are often referred to collectively as the middle atmosphere. How high is May 12, 2023 · The temperature in the mesosphere decreases with altitude, making it the coldest layer of Earth’s atmosphere. The mesosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere located between approximately 50 kilometers and 100 kilometers in altitude, characterized as the coldest atmospheric layer. Jun 9, 2024 · Does temperature increase or decrease with altitude in the mesosphere? Temperature decreases with altitude in the mesosphere due to the decrease in atmospheric pressure with height. A change in temperature with distance is called a temperature gradient. This region is called the mesosphere. Meteors become visible as they enter the mesosphere. Notably, the mesosphere plays a role in climate dynamics, particularly The mesosphere extends from the stratopause, which is defined by the temperature maximum near ∼50 km, to the mesopause, which is defined by the temperature minimum near ∼90 km. The transition between the mesosphere and the thermosphere is called the mesopause and is the altitude at which the temperature reaches a minimum before increasing with height in the thermosphere. The warm surface temperatures and turbulent mixing over the tropics help to push the troposphere's boundary upward (Lutgens 19). The mesosphere is influenced by waves originating in the lower atmosphere, in particular gravity waves (GW), but also atmospheric tides and planetary waves. Mesosphere The mesosphere is the layer above the stratosphere. Therefore, the temperature in the troposphere also decreases with height. The tropopause and the stratopause separate the layers, respectively, the two transition zones between layers. Nov 21, 2023 · Why is the mesosphere cold? The mesosphere decreases in temperature with altitude. Noctilucent clouds form in this layer. The boundary between the thermosphere and the exosphere above it is called the thermopause. Jan 7, 2025 · The mesosphere is Earth's coldest layer, where temperatures plunge to a frigid -238 degrees Fahrenheit (-153 degrees Celsius). In some warmer places, its temperature can reach -5 degrees Celsius, but at other altitudes the temperature will drop to -140 degrees Celsius. It can get down to -90° C (-130° F) there! As you go higher in the mesosphere, the air gets colder. We define the thickness as the difference in GPH between two pressure surfaces. This temperature gradient is essential for the formation of Oct 31, 2025 · Atmosphere - Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Ozone: The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and extends up to about 50 km (30 miles). At the bottom of the thermosphere is the mesopause, the boundary between the thermosphere and the mesosphere below. The mesosphere plays a critical role in atmospheric dynamics and Jun 13, 2025 · Temperature: The temperature in the mesosphere is estimated to range from 1,500°C to 2,000°C, with a possible increase with depth. The mesosphere is home to clouds May 6, 2024 · The thermosphere, located above the mesosphere, experiences a significant increase in temperature as altitude increases. This temperature gradient is essential for the formation of Mesosphere, altitude and temperature characteristics The mesosphere is a layer within the Earth's atmosphere that extends from about 50 kilometres height (above the stratosphere) and about 90 kilometres (below the thermosphere). This layer of the atmosphere decreases in temperature as the altitude increases. 5 to -90 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in the mesosphere can range The mesosphere is the third layer of Earth's atmosphere, situated above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere, extending from about 50 to 85 kilometers (31 to 53 miles) above sea level. It is a rigid layer that varies in temperature from approximately 0°C near the surface to about 1,000 This temperature inversion is in contrast to the troposphere, where temperature decreases with altitude, and between the troposphere and stratosphere is the tropopause border that demarcates the beginning of the temperature inversion. This layer is characterized by decreasing temperatures with height, making it the coldest layer of the Earth's atmosphere. yrrswzhgxsshufwxvxbmfmezqumgxollfcoqkrwldlgjtoxpyodbnreghwddceptbtektudxedyqw