In the atmosphere, the region immediately above the stratosphere and immediately below the thermosphere. The mesosphere begins about 50 kilometers high at the stratopause and ends about 80 kilometers high at the mesopause. The temperature in the mesosphere decreases sharply with increased altitude. [Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences; v49n24; 2353-2371; 1992.] [Introduction to Meteorology; F.W. Cole; page 7; 1980; John Wiley and Sons New York.]
