stratosphere

The layer of the atmosphere which is sandwiched between the troposphere and mesosphere. Of the energy that reaches the Earth from the sun, only 3% is absorbed in the stratosphere, but that includes the vitally important process of absorption of ultraviolet radiation by the stratospheric ozone layer. The stratosphere is cloudless and dust free, and almost unaffected by the turbulent conditions of the underlying level of the atmosphere. (Source: WRIGHT)