Previous Animation Next Animation 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. Duration: 4.0 seconds Available formats:   320x240 (30 fps) MPEG-1   568 KB   320x240     JPEG         7 KB   320x240 (30 fps) X-FLV       181 KB How to play our movies    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. Available formats:   2560 x 1920     TIFF 1 MB   160 x 80           PNG       21 KB   320 x 240         JPEG     10 KB   80 x 40             PNG         6 KB Animation Number: 2198 Completed: 2001-06-25 Animator: Michael Mangos (GST) (Lead) Scientist: Richard McPeters (NASA/GSFC) Platform/Sensor/Data Set: Earth Probe/TOMS (2000/01/01-2000/12/31) Series: Erythemal UV Video: SVS2001-0020 * Keywords: DLESE >> Atmospheric science SVS >> Erythemal SVS >> Solar Radiation SVS >> UV SVS >> UV-B SVS >> Ultraviolet     Please give credit for this item to: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio *Please note: the SVS does not fulfill requests for copies of the tapes in our library. On some of our animation pages, there is a direct link to a video distribution service from which tapes, handled by the Public Affairs Office (PAO)/Goddard TV, including some of our animations may be ordered. General information on this service can be found here. Back to Top

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