Earth  ID: 2218

Erythemal Index for August 2000 through July 2001: Zoom to North America (With Dates)

Visualizations by Michael Mangos Released on August 8, 2001
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.
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A global view of the Earth, gradually zooming into North America covered in purples (to the North) and blues (to the South), denoting low levels of ground level ultraviolet radiation in August, 2000. This animation shows the fluctuation in the levels through the year. By January, 2001, the red showing high levels of ground level ultraviolet radiation creep in and then fade away. The data covers August, 2000 through July, 2001.

Visualization Credits

Michael Mangos (GST): Lead Animator
Richard McPeters (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/2218

Data Used:
Earth Probe/TOMS
2000/08/01-2001/07/31
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This item is part of this series:
Erythemal UV

Keywords:
NASA Science >> Earth
SVS >> UV
DLESE >> Atmospheric science