Stratopause facts for kids
The stratopause is a special part of Earth's atmosphere. It acts like a boundary between two important layers: the stratosphere and the mesosphere. Think of it as the very top of the stratosphere.
In the stratosphere, something interesting happens: the higher you go, the warmer it gets. This is different from the air closer to the ground! The stratopause is the exact point where the temperature stops rising and starts to get colder again as you go even higher into the mesosphere. It's the warmest spot in that upper part of the atmosphere.
What is the Stratopause?
The stratopause is a thin area high above our planet. It marks the end of the stratosphere and the beginning of the mesosphere. This boundary is important because it shows where the temperature changes its pattern.
Where is the Stratopause Located?
On Earth, the stratopause is usually found about 50 kilometres (31 mi) (or about 31 miles) above the ground. That's much higher than where airplanes fly! It's a very high part of our atmosphere.
How Warm is the Stratopause?
Even though the stratopause is the warmest part of the upper stratosphere, it's still very cold by our standards. The temperature there is usually around −15 °C (5 °F) (or about 5 degrees Fahrenheit). This is because the air is very thin at that height.
