Thermosphere vs. Mesosphere — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 6, 2024
The thermosphere is the higher atmospheric layer characterized by increasing temperatures due to solar radiation absorption, whereas the mesosphere, lying below it, features decreasing temperatures and lower density.
Difference Between Thermosphere and Mesosphere
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The thermosphere, located above the mesosphere, experiences a significant increase in temperature as altitude increases. This is primarily due to the absorption of intense solar radiation. Whereas, the mesosphere experiences a decrease in temperature with altitude, making it the coldest layer of Earth's atmosphere.
In the thermosphere, temperatures can rise above 1,500 degrees Celsius due to the absorption of high-energy ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from the sun. Conversely, the mesosphere has temperatures dropping to as low as -90 degrees Celsius, largely due to the absence of solar heating and very little thermal insulation.
The air density in the thermosphere is extremely low, with molecules spaced far apart, making this layer almost a vacuum. On the other hand, the mesosphere, while still having low air density compared to the layers below, contains more particles per volume, impacting phenomena like meteor burning.
The thermosphere is crucial for satellite orbits and the auroras, as it contains the ionosphere where charged particles interact with Earth's magnetic field. In contrast, the mesosphere is known for noctilucent clouds and is where most meteors burn up upon entering Earth's atmosphere.
Space missions often consider the thermosphere for activities due to its properties and altitude range, which extends from about 90 to 600 kilometers above the Earth. The mesosphere, located between 50 to 85 kilometers altitude, is less accessible and less influenced by human activities.
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Comparison Chart
Location in Atmosphere
Above the mesosphere
Below the thermosphere
Temperature
Increases with altitude, can exceed 1,500°C
Decreases with altitude, as low as -90°C
Air Density
Extremely low, almost a vacuum
Low, but higher than in the thermosphere
Relevant Phenomena
Satellite orbits, auroras, ionosphere
Noctilucent clouds, meteor burning
Altitude Range
Approximately 90 to 600 kilometers
Approximately 50 to 85 kilometers
Compare with Definitions
Thermosphere
Crucial for aurora phenomena.
Auroras are visible in the thermosphere where Earth's magnetic field interacts with solar winds.
Mesosphere
The third layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the stratosphere.
The mesosphere is the middle layer of the atmosphere and the coldest one.
Thermosphere
The layer of Earth's atmosphere directly above the mesosphere and characterized by high temperatures.
The thermosphere's temperature can rise significantly, affected by solar activity.
Mesosphere
Contains rare noctilucent clouds.
Noctilucent clouds, visible just after sunset, occur in the mesosphere.
Thermosphere
Extremely low air density; almost a vacuum.
The thermosphere is where the International Space Station orbits due to its minimal atmospheric drag.
Mesosphere
Less explored due to its harsh conditions and altitude.
The mesosphere remains less studied compared to other atmospheric layers due to its inaccessibility.
Thermosphere
Contains the ionosphere, important for radio communication.
During solar flares, the thermosphere can disrupt GPS and radio signals due to increased ionization.
Mesosphere
Characterized by decreasing temperatures with altitude.
The mesosphere gets colder as one moves higher, opposite to how most of Earth's atmosphere behaves.
Thermosphere
Affected by solar radiation, leading to temperature increases.
In the thermosphere, ultraviolet radiation is a primary factor in the high temperatures experienced.
Mesosphere
Site for meteor burning.
Shooting stars are typically meteors burning up in the mesosphere.
Thermosphere
The thermosphere is the layer in the Earth's atmosphere directly above the mesosphere and below the exosphere. Within this layer of the atmosphere, ultraviolet radiation causes photoionization/photodissociation of molecules, creating ions; the thermosphere thus constitutes the larger part of the ionosphere.
Mesosphere
The mesosphere (; from Greek mesos, "middle") is the third layer of the atmosphere, directly above the stratosphere and directly below the thermosphere. In the mesosphere, temperature decreases as altitude increases.
Thermosphere
The outermost layer of the atmosphere, between the mesosphere and interplanetary space, where air becomes extremely thin and temperatures increase steadily with altitude.
Mesosphere
The portion of the atmosphere from about 50 to 100 kilometers (31 to 62 miles) above the surface of the earth, characterized by temperatures that decrease from 10°C to -96°C (50°F to -140°F) with increasing altitude.
Thermosphere
The layer of the Earth's atmosphere directly above the mesosphere and directly below the exosphere.
Mesosphere
(meteorology) The layer of the Earth's atmosphere that is directly above the stratosphere and directly below the thermosphere.
Thermosphere
The atmospheric layer between the mesosphere and the exosphere
Mesosphere
(geology) The part of the Earth's mantle below the asthenosphere and above the outer core.
Mesosphere
The atmospheric layer between the stratosphere and the thermosphere
Common Curiosities
What role does the mesosphere play in Earth's atmosphere?
The mesosphere helps protect Earth by causing meteors to burn up before they can reach the surface.
Can humans survive unaided in the thermosphere or mesosphere?
No, both layers have extremely low air pressure and temperature extremes not suitable for unaided human survival.
Why do temperatures in the mesosphere decrease with altitude?
Temperatures decrease due to the very thin atmosphere, which does not trap heat efficiently.
What causes the auroras observed in the thermosphere?
Auroras are caused by interactions between solar winds and the Earth's magnetic field concentrated in the thermosphere.
What is the primary difference between the thermosphere and the mesosphere?
The primary difference is their temperature trends; the thermosphere increases in temperature with altitude, while the mesosphere decreases.
What challenges do scientists face when studying the mesosphere?
The mesosphere's high altitude and extreme cold make it difficult to study directly with conventional aircraft or balloons.
How do activities in the thermosphere affect life on Earth?
Activities in the thermosphere, like satellite operation and space missions, are crucial for communication, weather forecasting, and scientific research.
Is the thermosphere part of Earth's weather system?
The thermosphere is not part of Earth's weather system, which primarily occurs in the troposphere.
What are noctilucent clouds, and where are they found?
Noctilucent clouds are rare, shiny clouds made of ice crystals that form in the mesosphere during summer months.
How does the low density of the thermosphere affect space travel?
The low density reduces atmospheric drag, making it an ideal location for satellites and space stations.
Why is the thermosphere hotter than the mesosphere?
The thermosphere absorbs high-energy radiation from the sun, heating it significantly.
What is the altitude range of the mesosphere?
The mesosphere stretches from about 50 to 85 kilometers above Earth's surface.
Are there any weather phenomena in the thermosphere?
Weather as we know it does not occur in the thermosphere, though it is key for auroral activities.
How does solar activity affect the thermosphere?
Solar activity increases the ionization in the thermosphere, affecting temperatures and satellite operations.
What are the scientific interests in studying the mesosphere?
Studying the mesosphere helps scientists understand upper atmosphere chemistry, meteorology, and how Earth's atmosphere interacts with space.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
