Erythemal Index 2000: Full Globe Loop
The Erythemal Index is a measure of ultraviolet radiation (UV) at ground level on the Earth. UV exists to the left of the visible spectrum and is divided into three components (UV-A, UV-B and UV-C). UV-B (290-320 wavelengths) is the most dangerous form of UV radiation that can reach ground level. Atmospheric ozone shields life at the surface from most of the harmful components of solar radiation. Chemical processes in the atmosphere can effect the level of protection provided by the ozone in the upper atmosphere. This thinning of the atmospheric ozone in the stratosphere leads to elevated levels of UV-B at ground level and increases the risks of DNA damage in living organisms.
Earth view of the Western Hemisphere. Red (denoting highest ground levels of ultraviolet radiation) covers most of South America and the colors fading to blues (denoting lowest ground levels of ultraviolet radiation) over North America. This data was collected over the year 2000.
Earth view of the Western Hemisphere. Red (denoting highest ground levels of ultraviolet radiation) covers most of South America and the colors fading to blues (denoting lowest ground levels of ultraviolet radiation) over North America. This data was collected over the year 2000.
Video slate image reads, "Erythemal Index 2000
Full Globe 12 Months".
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Scientific Visualization Studio
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Animator
- Michael Mangos (Global Science and Technology, Inc.)
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Scientist
- Richard McPeters (NASA/GSFC)
Release date
This page was originally published on Monday, July 2, 2001.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:58 PM EDT.
Series
This page can be found in the following series:Datasets used
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[Earth Probe: TOMS]
ID: 17
Note: While we identify the data sets used on this page, we do not store any further details, nor the data sets themselves on our site.