At what altitude does the stratosphere generally extend to?

The stratosphere is a critical layer of Earth's atmosphere located above the troposphere and is generally recognized to extend from about 8 to 15 miles above sea level, depending on the latitude and weather conditions. However, when considering upper limits, the stratosphere can reach heights of approximately 30 miles, or about 160,000 feet.

The value associated with 50 miles exceeds the generally recognized altitude for the stratosphere. At this altitude, one would typically be in the mesosphere, which is the layer above the stratosphere, extending from about 30 miles to approximately 50 miles. Similarly, the mentioned options of 200 miles also pertain to altitudes that reach into the thermosphere or beyond.

Understanding these boundaries is essential for fields such as meteorology and aviation, as the characteristics and behaviors of these atmospheric layers impact weather patterns, flight operations, and climate conditions at different altitudes.