There are five layers that make up the Earth’s atmosphere. They extend from just above the surface of the Earth to outer space. The layer of the atmosphere that we breathe and exist in is called the troposphere and extends from the ground to about 10 miles (16 kilometers) above the surface. From about 10 miles to 30 miles (16 to 48 kilometers) up lies the stratosphere. The mesosphere lies from 30 to 50 miles (48 to 80 kilometers) above the surface. A very thick layer, the thermosphere, lies from 50 all the way to 125 miles up (80 to 200 kilometers). Above the 125 mile (200 kilometer) mark lies the exosphere and space.