Which one of the following zones of atmosphere is the farthest from th

Which one of the following zones of atmosphere is the farthest from the earth surface?

Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Ionosphere
Troposphere
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023
The Ionosphere is the farthest zone from the Earth’s surface among the options provided.
The layers of the atmosphere from Earth’s surface upwards are Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere. The Ionosphere is not a distinct layer but a region within the Thermosphere (and parts of the Mesosphere and Exosphere) characterized by ionization due to solar radiation. Among the given options (Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Ionosphere, Troposphere), the Ionosphere is situated highest above the Earth’s surface, being part of the Thermosphere which is above the Mesosphere.
The exosphere is the outermost layer, extending into space. The Thermosphere, where the Ionosphere is located, is known for its high temperatures (though not felt as heat due to low density) and is where phenomena like the aurora occur.