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The mesosphere is a layer of Earth’s atmosphere located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. It extends approximately from 50 kilometers to 85 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.
This atmospheric layer is known for its low temperatures, which decrease with altitude, making it the coldest layer of the atmosphere. Temperatures in the mesosphere can drop to around -90°C (-130°F).
The mesosphere plays an important role in protecting Earth from meteors. When meteoroids enter the atmosphere, they burn up due to friction with air molecules primarily in this layer, preventing many from reaching the surface.
The mesosphere also helps in absorbing some solar radiation and contributes to atmospheric tides and waves that affect weather patterns in the lower atmosphere.
Because the mesosphere is located above the stratosphere, which contains the protective ozone layer, it does not shield Earth from ultraviolet rays but rather acts as a protective barrier against space debris.
Studying the mesosphere is essential in physics and atmospheric science as it explains many processes related to atmospheric temperature, pressure, and the interaction between Earth and space.
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