The Chelyabinsk meteor

 The Chelyabinsk meteor

One of the most fascinating features of the mesosphere is that it is the Earth’s primary shield against meteors. As meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere, they collide with gas molecules in the mesosphere, causing intense friction and heat. This process burns up most meteors, creating the bright streaks of light known as shooting stars. The mesosphere is vital in protecting Earth from frequent meteor impacts, as it destroys most of them before they reach the surface.

However, some of the largest meteors can survive their journey through the mesosphere and reach the Earth’s surface as meteorites. One of the most famous meteor impacts was the Chelyabinsk meteor, which exploded over Russia in 2013, causing widespread damage. 

Even larger impacts, like the Chicxulub meteor that contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, show how some massive space rocks can make it through the atmosphere. Despite this, the mesosphere remains our first line of defense against countless smaller meteoroids that could otherwise cause serious harm.