exosphere

[ ek-soh-sfeer ]

noun

1. the highest region of the atmosphere, where the air density is so low that a fast-moving air molecule is more than 50 percent likely to escape from the atmosphere instead of hitting other molecules.

exosphere

/ ˈɛksəʊˌsfɪə /

noun

1. the outermost layer of the earth's atmosphere. It extends from about 400 km above the earth's surface

exosphere

/ ĕk′sō-sfîr′ /

1. The outermost region of the Earth's atmosphere, beginning at an altitude of approximately 550 km to 700 km (341 to 434 mi) and merging with the interplanetary medium at around 10,000 km (6,200 mi). The exosphere consists chiefly of ionized hydrogen, which creates the geocorona by reflecting far-ultraviolet light from the Sun. On the remote edges of the exosphere, hydrogen atoms are so sparse that each cubic centimeter might contain only one atom; furthermore, the pressure and gravity are weak enough that atoms in the exosphere can escape entirely and drift into space. Artificial satellites generally orbit in this region.
2. See also mesosphereSee illustration at atmosphere

Other Words From

• ex·o·spher·i·cal [ek-s, uh, -, sfer, -i-k, uh, l, -, sfeer, -], exo·spheric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exosphere¹

First recorded in 1950–55; exo- + -sphere

Example Sentences

In the shed on the left is Orion, which is a two-stage rocket for deep penetration into the exosphere.

From Project Gutenberg

His instruments told him they were breaching the exosphere, where molecular matter had almost ceased to exist.

From Project Gutenberg

The atoms of the exosphere were lonely, uncrowded, isolated particles.

From Project Gutenberg