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The mesosphere is the atmospheric layer where most meteors burn up before they can reach Earth's surface. This layer lies above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere, extending roughly from 50 to 85 kilometers above the Earth.
When meteors enter Earth's atmosphere, they travel at very high speeds. As they pass through the mesosphere, they collide with air molecules, causing friction and intense heat. This heat causes the meteors to incinerate or vaporize, creating the bright streaks of light often called "shooting stars."
The mesosphere is critical for protecting life on Earth by preventing many meteors from impacting the surface. Without this protective layer, meteors would strike the Earth more frequently, potentially causing damage.
Unlike the troposphere, where weather occurs, and the stratosphere, which contains the ozone layer protecting us from harmful ultraviolet rays, the mesosphere’s main role is this protective burning of meteors.
Understanding the mesosphere and its function is a key part of studying Earth's atmosphere in physics. It also helps explain how Earth's atmosphere acts as a shield against space debris.
This knowledge is essential for students learning about atmospheric layers and planetary protection mechanisms.
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