01-23-2017, 05:18 PM
Ohiagrrl - maybe this plot will make things a little clearer:
https://goo.gl/Kz40Xn
It plots data from the UV all the way through the near-infrared and shows:
1) the calculated blackbody temperature distribution of the sun ("spectral energy distribution", SED, if you want to look it up);
2) the actual measured SED as seen at the top of the atmosphere;
3) the amount of radiation received at the Earth's surface after it passes through the atmosphere at various wavelengths. It also shows the molecules that absorb particular wavelengths of light.
You'll see that although the sun emits some UVC radiation (the germicidal type), it doesn't get through the atmosphere (probably a good thing, I doubt we'd be here if it did). UVA and UVB radiation do get through, however, the types that give you sunburn.
https://goo.gl/Kz40Xn
It plots data from the UV all the way through the near-infrared and shows:
1) the calculated blackbody temperature distribution of the sun ("spectral energy distribution", SED, if you want to look it up);
2) the actual measured SED as seen at the top of the atmosphere;
3) the amount of radiation received at the Earth's surface after it passes through the atmosphere at various wavelengths. It also shows the molecules that absorb particular wavelengths of light.
You'll see that although the sun emits some UVC radiation (the germicidal type), it doesn't get through the atmosphere (probably a good thing, I doubt we'd be here if it did). UVA and UVB radiation do get through, however, the types that give you sunburn.