The International Space Station orbits Earth in this layer. mesopause—the boundary between the mesosphere and the thermosphere; the coldest place on Earth. mesosphere—the layer in which most meteors burn up after entering Earth's atmosphere and before reaching Earth's surface.

**Explanation:**

The correct answer is option B) Mesosphere.

**1. Earth's Atmosphere:**
The Earth's atmosphere is divided into five main layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Each layer has its own unique characteristics and properties.

**2. Meteorites:**
Meteorites are small rocks or fragments from space that enter the Earth's atmosphere and survive the journey to reach the surface. When meteorites enter the atmosphere, they experience intense heat and friction due to the air molecules colliding with them. This causes the meteorites to heat up and burn.

**3. The Mesosphere:**
The mesosphere is the third layer of the Earth's atmosphere, located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. It extends from about 50 to 85 kilometers (31 to 53 miles) above the Earth's surface.

**4. Characteristics of Mesosphere:**
- The mesosphere is known for its extremely cold temperatures, with temperatures dropping as low as -90 degrees Celsius (-130 degrees Fahrenheit).
- The air density in this layer is very low, and the pressure decreases with increasing altitude.
- It is also the layer where meteorites burn up upon entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

**5. Meteorite Entry and Burn-Up:**
When a meteorite enters the Earth's atmosphere, it encounters increasing air density and friction. This causes the meteorite to heat up rapidly and glow brightly, creating a streak of light known as a meteor or shooting star. The intense heat causes the meteorite to vaporize and burn up completely before it reaches the surface.

**6. Explanation:**
Therefore, meteorites burn up in the mesosphere layer upon entering the Earth's atmosphere due to the high temperatures and friction encountered in this region. The other layers of the atmosphere do not have the same extreme conditions, making the mesosphere the correct answer.

Mesosphere