MCQ Detailed View

The mesosphere is the third layer of Earth’s atmosphere, located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere, roughly between 50 km and 85 km above the Earth’s surface. One of its most important roles is to protect Earth from meteoroids. Most meteoroids burn up in this layer due to the combination of high-speed entry and friction with the thin atmospheric gases. This process causes the bright streaks of light we see as shooting stars.

The troposphere, which is the lowest layer, is where weather occurs and contains most of the atmosphere’s mass, but it is too dense to burn meteors. The stratosphere contains the ozone layer that absorbs harmful UV radiation, but it also does not have the primary role of burning meteoroids. The ionosphere, located in the thermosphere region, is important for radio communication and auroras, not for meteoroid destruction.

The mesosphere has a low air density, but it is sufficient to create intense friction and heat on meteoroids traveling at thousands of kilometers per hour. This heat causes the meteoroids to disintegrate and vaporize before reaching Earth’s surface, preventing most of them from causing damage. Only the largest meteoroids survive this layer and reach the ground as meteorites.

Understanding the mesosphere’s role is crucial in astronomy, space science, and atmospheric studies. It illustrates how Earth’s natural protective layers work together to shield the planet. By burning up most meteoroids, the mesosphere acts as a safety layer for life on Earth, preventing frequent impacts from space debris.