Afterglow of the troposphere (orange), the stratosphere (blue) and the mesosphere (dark) at which atmospheric entry begins, leaving smoke trails, such as in this case of a spacecraft reentry

The Coldest Place on Earth Isn't the Ground

The mesosphere is the coldest place on Earth. Near the mesopause, average temperature falls to around −85 °C.

Earth's Mesosphere and the Coldest Air

Peaceful countryside under a starry night sky, featuring illuminated hilltops and wispy clouds.

It Can Grow Glowing Night Clouds

Just below the mesopause, the air can get so cold that scarce water vapor freezes into noctilucent clouds. These are the highest clouds in the atmosphere.

Earth's Mesosphere and the Coldest Air

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