Here's why:
* The mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere, extending from about 50 to 85 kilometers (31 to 53 miles) above the Earth's surface.
* Meteors are small particles of dust and rock that enter the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds.
* Friction between the meteor and the air molecules in the mesosphere causes the meteor to heat up and glow, creating the "shooting star" effect.
While the initial entry of a meteor might be in the higher layers of the atmosphere like the thermosphere, the majority of their visible glow occurs within the mesosphere.
