Temperatures rise with increasing altitude in the stratosphere. Ozone molecules absorb energy from solar ultraviolet radiation, transforming the energy to heat.
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Original artwork by Windows to the Universe staff (Randy Russell).

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The Stratosphere

Temperature in the Stratosphere

Temperatures rise with increasing altitude in the stratosphere. Ozone molecules in the stratosphere absorb ultraviolet radiation coming from the Sun. The energy from the UV radiation is transformed into heat. The heating is most intense near the top of the stratosphere, so that is where the stratosphere is warmest.

Last modified March 30, 2009 by Randy Russell.

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