Mesosphere Collection

Noctilucent or Night-sining clouds over barley field, Dorchester, Dorset, England, UK

Space Shuttle Endeavour over Earth, c2010. Creator: NASA
Space Shuttle Endeavour over Earth, c2010. Though astronauts and cosmonauts often encounter striking scenes of Earths limb, this very unique image, part of a series over Earths colorful horizon

air, colour, earth, exosphere, layer, mesosphere, nobody, plain background, star, thermosphere, troposphere, Dorling Kindersley Prints, 909919336

Cross section of planet Earth showing the inner core, made by solid iron and nickel, with a temperature of 4500A Celsius

Polar mesospheric clouds over the Southern Hemisphere
January 30, 2010 - Polar mesospheric clouds over the Southern Hemisphere. These clouds occur over the high latitudes of both the Northern

Diagram of the transparency of Earths atmosphere to different types of radiation
Diagram illustrating the transparency of Earths atmosphere to different types of radiation

The Earth with the center cutaway to reveal its core

Cross section of planet Earth showing the lower mantle, made by olivine, pyroxene and feldspar. Temperature 1800 - 2800A Celsius

Cross section of planet Earth showing the outer core, made by liquid iron, sulfur, nickel and oxygen. Temperature 3200A Celsius

Cross section of planet Earth showing the upper mantle, made by magnesium, iron, aluminum, silicon and oxygen. Temperature 700 - 1300A Celsius

Panorama of noctilucent clouds in Alberta, Canada
June 21-22, 2014 - A display of noctilucent clouds, or polar mesospheric clouds, on summer solstice night in Alberta, Canada

A diagram illustrating the parts of Earths atmosphere

Earths atmosphere, artwork
Earths atmosphere. Computer artwork showing the different levels of the Earths atmosphere. From top to bottom these are: exosphere (600km), thermosphere (80km), mesosphere (50km), ozone layer

Earths interior, artwork
Earths interior, computer artwork. The crust is red, the mantle is orange, the outer core is yellow and the inner core is silver

Earths crust, artwork
Earths crust, computer artwork

Earths atmosphere, diagram
Earths atmosphere. Block diagram showing altitude in kilometres (km) and phenomena observed in Earths atmosphere. This profile ranges from ground level (at the Ganges Plain and Tibetan Plateau)

Earths atmosphere. Computer artwork of the Earth with half of its atmosphere removed. The atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the planet

Noctilucent clouds, seen from the International Space Station (ISS). These clouds (white streaks across centre) are very thin and form high above the Earth at heights of 75-90 kilometres

Space shuttle over Earths horizon. Photograph of the space shuttle Endeavour taken by astronauts on board the International Space Station

Noctilucent clouds, ISS image
Noctilucent clouds. International Space Station (ISS) image of the limb of the Earth, showing noctilucent clouds (polar mesospheric clouds, across top) in the upper atmosphere

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The mesosphere, a layer of Earth's atmosphere located between the stratosphere and thermosphere, holds many wonders. From its plain background to the expanse of stars above, this region is home to mesmerizing phenomena. In Dorchester, Dorset, England, UK, noctilucent or night-shining clouds dance gracefully over a barley field. Their ethereal glow illuminates the darkened sky and adds an enchanting touch to the landscape below. These elusive clouds are a captivating sight that only occurs during specific conditions in the mesosphere. As we venture further into space, we witness Space Shuttle Endeavour soaring above our planet's surface in 2010. The vibrant colors of Earth contrast with the blackness of space as it hovers within the mesosphere. This image captures both our technological achievements and the delicate balance between air and cosmos. Cross sections reveal hidden depths within our planet's core. From its innermost core to its outer layers like lower mantle and upper mantle - these intricate structures shape our world. As we delve deeper into understanding Earth's composition through these diagrams, we gain insight into how each layer interacts with atmospheric transparency. Polar mesospheric clouds grace the skies over Southern Hemisphere regions with their awe-inspiring presence. These high-altitude formations paint breathtaking scenes against a backdrop of celestial beauty. Their appearance reminds us of nature's ability to create art even in remote corners of our atmosphere. A panoramic view transports us across continents to Alberta, Canada where noctilucent clouds once again captivate observers' hearts. Stretching across vast horizons, they create an otherworldly spectacle that leaves onlookers spellbound by their luminosity against an indigo sky. Earth's atmosphere acts as a shield for life on this blue planet while allowing different types of radiation to permeate through its layers—a delicate balance maintained by nature itself. A diagram illustrating this transparency showcases how various wavelengths interact with the mesosphere, revealing the intricate mechanisms at play.